Constructional grounding in emerging complexity
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Cecilia Rojas-Nieto
Abstract
A constructional grounding view to emerging complexity is based on the assumption that components of complex constructions may be used as free clauses before they are integrated into a complex frame. In child language development, constructional grounding has already been tested with positive results for some simple frames: passives and existential constructions. This chapter extends this view to complex sentence formation in early acquisition of Spanish. The analysis focuses on data pointing to a possible grounding relation between main clauses with lexical uses of future complement-taking verbs, and free, insubordinated clause constructions marked by comp-que. Children have access to and may learn these independent frames from parental models. Evidence of constructional grounding is presented: Chronological, distributional and functional results point to a grounding relation between free uses of these components and complex sentences that integrate them. The paper adds to synchronic and diachronic analysis of emerging complexity, and brings developmental evidence on how children integrate earlier and independently learned clausal construction frames.
Abstract
A constructional grounding view to emerging complexity is based on the assumption that components of complex constructions may be used as free clauses before they are integrated into a complex frame. In child language development, constructional grounding has already been tested with positive results for some simple frames: passives and existential constructions. This chapter extends this view to complex sentence formation in early acquisition of Spanish. The analysis focuses on data pointing to a possible grounding relation between main clauses with lexical uses of future complement-taking verbs, and free, insubordinated clause constructions marked by comp-que. Children have access to and may learn these independent frames from parental models. Evidence of constructional grounding is presented: Chronological, distributional and functional results point to a grounding relation between free uses of these components and complex sentences that integrate them. The paper adds to synchronic and diachronic analysis of emerging complexity, and brings developmental evidence on how children integrate earlier and independently learned clausal construction frames.
Kapitel in diesem Buch
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Introduction 1
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Part I. Syntactic complexity and language contact
- Switch-reference in Kobon and Haruai 13
- Models of grammar and the outcomes of long-term language contact 27
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Part II. Syntactic complexity and language acquisition
- Constructional grounding in emerging complexity 53
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Part III. The syntactic complexity of adverbial clauses
- The predicates of Luiseño clausal adjuncts 87
- Adverbial subordinators in Yaqui 109
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Part IV. The diachrony of syntactic complexity
- Grammaticalization of the linking devices with ka in Purepecha 139
- Syntactic nominalizations in Pima Bajo 167
- Syntactic complexity and grammaticalization in Toba language (Guaycuruan) 191
- From discourse to syntax 217
- Authors Index 249
- Language Index 253
- Subject Index 255
Kapitel in diesem Buch
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Introduction 1
-
Part I. Syntactic complexity and language contact
- Switch-reference in Kobon and Haruai 13
- Models of grammar and the outcomes of long-term language contact 27
-
Part II. Syntactic complexity and language acquisition
- Constructional grounding in emerging complexity 53
-
Part III. The syntactic complexity of adverbial clauses
- The predicates of Luiseño clausal adjuncts 87
- Adverbial subordinators in Yaqui 109
-
Part IV. The diachrony of syntactic complexity
- Grammaticalization of the linking devices with ka in Purepecha 139
- Syntactic nominalizations in Pima Bajo 167
- Syntactic complexity and grammaticalization in Toba language (Guaycuruan) 191
- From discourse to syntax 217
- Authors Index 249
- Language Index 253
- Subject Index 255
