On some problem areas in grammaticalization studies
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Gabriele Diewald
Abstract
In the past, three central problems were discussed in grammaticalization studies. First, the discrimination and isolation of distinctive features of the process of grammaticalization, second, the question of distinct formal expression, i.e. what counts as an explicitly expressed grammatical function in a language, and third, what is a distinct set of meanings and functions of grammatical items. The paper suggests that these problems, which have in common that they are characterized by non-distinctness in various areas, originate in the fact that grammaticalization studies have not yet proposed a substantial definition of grammar. Assuming that grammatical meaning is based in a deictic relational structure and its modifications, the paper proposes features that a substantial definition of grammar for grammaticalization studies should contain.
Abstract
In the past, three central problems were discussed in grammaticalization studies. First, the discrimination and isolation of distinctive features of the process of grammaticalization, second, the question of distinct formal expression, i.e. what counts as an explicitly expressed grammatical function in a language, and third, what is a distinct set of meanings and functions of grammatical items. The paper suggests that these problems, which have in common that they are characterized by non-distinctness in various areas, originate in the fact that grammaticalization studies have not yet proposed a substantial definition of grammar. Assuming that grammatical meaning is based in a deictic relational structure and its modifications, the paper proposes features that a substantial definition of grammar for grammaticalization studies should contain.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Preface vii
- Introduction 1
-
part I Basic questions
- On some problem areas in grammaticalization studies 17
- Issues in constructional approaches to grammaticalization in English 51
- Reconsidering erosion in grammaticalization 73
- Grammaticalization, subjectification and objectification 101
- Degrammaticalization 123
- Degrammaticalization and obsolescent morphology 151
-
part II Grammaticalization and the explanation of language change
- An analogical approach to grammaticalization 181
- Does grammaticalisation need analogy? 221
- What grammaticalisation can reveal about same-subject control 241
- How the Latin neuter pronominal forms became markers of non-individuation in Spanish 273
-
part III Case studies of micro-processes of grammaticalization
- The Grammaticalization of the German adjectives lauter (and eitel ) 297
- Is German gehören an auxiliary? 323
- Micro-processes of grammaticalization 343
- List of contributors 373
- Index 375
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Preface vii
- Introduction 1
-
part I Basic questions
- On some problem areas in grammaticalization studies 17
- Issues in constructional approaches to grammaticalization in English 51
- Reconsidering erosion in grammaticalization 73
- Grammaticalization, subjectification and objectification 101
- Degrammaticalization 123
- Degrammaticalization and obsolescent morphology 151
-
part II Grammaticalization and the explanation of language change
- An analogical approach to grammaticalization 181
- Does grammaticalisation need analogy? 221
- What grammaticalisation can reveal about same-subject control 241
- How the Latin neuter pronominal forms became markers of non-individuation in Spanish 273
-
part III Case studies of micro-processes of grammaticalization
- The Grammaticalization of the German adjectives lauter (and eitel ) 297
- Is German gehören an auxiliary? 323
- Micro-processes of grammaticalization 343
- List of contributors 373
- Index 375
