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Some remarks on the role of the reference point in the construal configuration of “more” and “less” grounding predications

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Abstract

In Cognitive Grammar, grounding predications are by definition highly grammaticalized elements. As grammaticalization is a gradient phenomenon, this chapter argues for a more gradual view on grounding. It is proposed that a particular linguistic unit may show a weaker or a stronger degree of grounding. The degree of grounding is closely connected with the degree of grammaticalization. Moreover, different degrees in grounding and grammaticalization match different degrees in subjectification. The model suggested here highlights the role of the relevant reference point in the construal configuration of a linguistic unit. The application of the model is illustrated using the example of the German preterit subjunctive, and the constructions werden/würde + infinitive.

Abstract

In Cognitive Grammar, grounding predications are by definition highly grammaticalized elements. As grammaticalization is a gradient phenomenon, this chapter argues for a more gradual view on grounding. It is proposed that a particular linguistic unit may show a weaker or a stronger degree of grounding. The degree of grounding is closely connected with the degree of grammaticalization. Moreover, different degrees in grounding and grammaticalization match different degrees in subjectification. The model suggested here highlights the role of the relevant reference point in the construal configuration of a linguistic unit. The application of the model is illustrated using the example of the German preterit subjunctive, and the constructions werden/würde + infinitive.

Chapters in this book

  1. Prelim pages i
  2. Table of contents v
  3. List of contributors vii
  4. Acknowledgments ix
  5. Introduction 1
  6. Part I. Theoretical foundations
  7. The definition of modality 21
  8. The English present 45
  9. The organization of the German clausal grounding system 87
  10. Grounding in terms of anchoring relations 109
  11. Part II. Descriptive application
  12. Some remarks on the role of the reference point in the construal configuration of “more” and “less” grounding predications 137
  13. New current relevance in Croatian 159
  14. Aspect as a scanning device in natural language processing 181
  15. Part III. Descriptive application
  16. Imperfective aspect and epistemic modality 217
  17. Communicating about the past through modality in English and Thai 249
  18. The epistemic uses of the English simple past and the French imparfait 279
  19. Name Index 311
  20. Subject Index 315
Cognitive Approaches to Tense, Aspect, and Epistemic Modality
This chapter is in the book Cognitive Approaches to Tense, Aspect, and Epistemic Modality
https://doi.org/10.1075/hcp.29.10smi

Chapters in this book

  1. Prelim pages i
  2. Table of contents v
  3. List of contributors vii
  4. Acknowledgments ix
  5. Introduction 1
  6. Part I. Theoretical foundations
  7. The definition of modality 21
  8. The English present 45
  9. The organization of the German clausal grounding system 87
  10. Grounding in terms of anchoring relations 109
  11. Part II. Descriptive application
  12. Some remarks on the role of the reference point in the construal configuration of “more” and “less” grounding predications 137
  13. New current relevance in Croatian 159
  14. Aspect as a scanning device in natural language processing 181
  15. Part III. Descriptive application
  16. Imperfective aspect and epistemic modality 217
  17. Communicating about the past through modality in English and Thai 249
  18. The epistemic uses of the English simple past and the French imparfait 279
  19. Name Index 311
  20. Subject Index 315
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