Constructionalization and the Sorites Paradox
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Susanne Flach
Abstract
This article discusses the relationship between “constructionalization” and “constructional change” (Traugott & Trousdale, 2013). Expanding on recent critical reviews, the paper argues that the problems with constructionalization arise from the ambiguity of the concept: it refers simultaneously to processes leading to the creation of a new node and to the point of node creation itself. The issues are illustrated by tracking the emergence of the into-causative: the data show that a series of interrelated changes in multiple parts of the network provided necessary and facilitating conditions, some of which predate the into-causative by several generations. The suggestion is that constructionalization should be reserved for its point reading, while aspects of its process reading are better captured by “constructional emergence”.
Abstract
This article discusses the relationship between “constructionalization” and “constructional change” (Traugott & Trousdale, 2013). Expanding on recent critical reviews, the paper argues that the problems with constructionalization arise from the ambiguity of the concept: it refers simultaneously to processes leading to the creation of a new node and to the point of node creation itself. The issues are illustrated by tracking the emergence of the into-causative: the data show that a series of interrelated changes in multiple parts of the network provided necessary and facilitating conditions, some of which predate the into-causative by several generations. The suggestion is that constructionalization should be reserved for its point reading, while aspects of its process reading are better captured by “constructional emergence”.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Introduction 1
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The nodes
- Constructionalization and the Sorites Paradox 45
- Constructionalization, constructional competition and constructional death 69
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The links
- (Re)shaping the constructional network 107
- Productivity and schematicity in constructional change 141
- Constructional networks and the development of benefactive ditransitives in English 167
- Allostructions, homostructions or a constructional family? 213
- Converging variations and the emergence of horizontal links 243
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Beyond existing models
- Paradigms lost – paradigms regained 277
- Putting connections centre stage in diachronic Construction Grammar 317
- Index 353
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Introduction 1
-
The nodes
- Constructionalization and the Sorites Paradox 45
- Constructionalization, constructional competition and constructional death 69
-
The links
- (Re)shaping the constructional network 107
- Productivity and schematicity in constructional change 141
- Constructional networks and the development of benefactive ditransitives in English 167
- Allostructions, homostructions or a constructional family? 213
- Converging variations and the emergence of horizontal links 243
-
Beyond existing models
- Paradigms lost – paradigms regained 277
- Putting connections centre stage in diachronic Construction Grammar 317
- Index 353
