Semantic maps, for synchronic and diachronic typology
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Johan van der Auwera
Abstract
This paper presents classical maps as accounts of both the synchronic polysemy of constructions and of their gradual semantic developments. This presentation is set against the background of a critique of the usefulness of classical semantic maps, voiced by the proponents of a newer kind of map, a statistical one. The paper reviews the debate, elaborating on points made before and introducing new ones. The new ones concern the issues of the complexity of semantic maps and of the nature of the connections between map points. Illustrations are drawn from the areas of indefinite and impersonal pronouns, modal expressions and constructions of additive scalarity (of the type expressed by English even).
Abstract
This paper presents classical maps as accounts of both the synchronic polysemy of constructions and of their gradual semantic developments. This presentation is set against the background of a critique of the usefulness of classical semantic maps, voiced by the proponents of a newer kind of map, a statistical one. The paper reviews the debate, elaborating on points made before and introducing new ones. The new ones concern the issues of the complexity of semantic maps and of the nature of the connections between map points. Illustrations are drawn from the areas of indefinite and impersonal pronouns, modal expressions and constructions of additive scalarity (of the type expressed by English even).
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Acknowledgements vii
- List of contributors ix
- Synchrony and diachrony 1
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Part I. The role of analogy and constructions in the synchrony-diachrony interface
- Gradualness in language change 27
- Gradual change and continual variation 43
- Can you literally be scared sick ? 79
- The reputed sense of be meant to 105
- Gradualness in analogical change as a complexification stage in a language simplification process 125
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Part II. Synchronic variation and language change
- Semantic maps, for synchronic and diachronic typology 153
- Synchronic gradience and language change in Latin genitive constructions 177
- Double agreement in the Alpine languages 201
- On variation in gender agreement 237
- Synchronic Variation and Grammatical Change 261
- A case study on the relationship between grammatical change and synchronic variation 283
- Grammaticalization in the present – The changes of modern Swedish typ 313
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Part III. Gradualness in language change
- Gradualness in change in English (augmented) absolutes 341
- Grammatical encoding of referentiality in the history of Hungarian 367
- Gradualness in contact-induced constructional replication 391
- Binding Hierarchy and peculiarities of the verb potere in some Southern Calabrian varieties 419
- Author index 441
- Subject index 447
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Acknowledgements vii
- List of contributors ix
- Synchrony and diachrony 1
-
Part I. The role of analogy and constructions in the synchrony-diachrony interface
- Gradualness in language change 27
- Gradual change and continual variation 43
- Can you literally be scared sick ? 79
- The reputed sense of be meant to 105
- Gradualness in analogical change as a complexification stage in a language simplification process 125
-
Part II. Synchronic variation and language change
- Semantic maps, for synchronic and diachronic typology 153
- Synchronic gradience and language change in Latin genitive constructions 177
- Double agreement in the Alpine languages 201
- On variation in gender agreement 237
- Synchronic Variation and Grammatical Change 261
- A case study on the relationship between grammatical change and synchronic variation 283
- Grammaticalization in the present – The changes of modern Swedish typ 313
-
Part III. Gradualness in language change
- Gradualness in change in English (augmented) absolutes 341
- Grammatical encoding of referentiality in the history of Hungarian 367
- Gradualness in contact-induced constructional replication 391
- Binding Hierarchy and peculiarities of the verb potere in some Southern Calabrian varieties 419
- Author index 441
- Subject index 447
