Grammaticization, Synchronic Variation, and Language Contact: A study of Spanish progressive -ndo constructions - Couverture rigide

Torres Cacoullos, Rena

 
9789027230553: Grammaticization, Synchronic Variation, and Language Contact: A study of Spanish progressive -ndo constructions
Couverture rigide
ISBN 10 : 9027230552 ISBN 13 : 9789027230553
Editeur : John Benjamins Publishing Co, 2000

Synopsis

This study of Old Spanish and present-day Mexico and New Mexico data develops a grammaticization account of variation in progressive constructions. Diachronic changes in cooccurrence patterns show that grammaticization involves reductive change driven by frequency increases. Formal reduction results in the emergence of auxilliary-plus-gerund sequences as fused units. Semantically, the constructions originate as spatial expressions; their grammaticization involves gradual loss of locative features of meaning. Semantic generalization among parallel evolutionary paths results in the competition among different constructions in the domain of progressive aspect. Patterns of synchronic variation follow from both the retention of meaning differences and the routinization of frequent collocations, as well as sociolinguistic factors. Register considerations turn out to be crucial in evaluating the effects of language contact. Purported changes in Spanish ― English bilingual varieties are largely a feature of oral, informal language rather than a manifestation of convergence.

Les informations fournies dans la section « Synopsis » peuvent faire référence à une autre édition de ce titre.

Présentation de l'éditeur

This study of Old Spanish and present-day Mexico and New Mexico data develops a grammaticization account of variation in progressive constructions. Diachronic changes in cooccurrence patterns show that grammaticization involves reductive change driven by frequency increases. Formal reduction results in the emergence of auxilliary-plus-gerund sequences as fused units. Semantically, the constructions originate as spatial expressions; their grammaticization involves gradual loss of locative features of meaning. Semantic generalization among parallel evolutionary paths results in the competition among different constructions in the domain of progressive aspect. Patterns of synchronic variation follow from both the retention of meaning differences and the routinization of frequent collocations, as well as sociolinguistic factors. Register considerations turn out to be crucial in evaluating the effects of language contact. Purported changes in Spanish ― English bilingual varieties are largely a feature of oral, informal language rather than a manifestation of convergence.

Les informations fournies dans la section « A propos du livre » peuvent faire référence à une autre édition de ce titre.

Éditeur
John Benjamins Publishing Co
Date d'édition
2000
Langue
anglais
ISBN 10 
9027230552
ISBN 13 
9789027230553
Reliure
Relié
Nombre de pages
268
Coordonnées du fabricant
non disponible
Personne responsable
non disponible

Autres éditions populaires du même titre

9781556199387: Grammaticization, Synchronic Variation, and Language Contact: A Study of Spanish Progressive -Ndo Constructions

Edition présentée

ISBN 10 :  1556199384 ISBN 13 :  9781556199387
Editeur : John Benjamins Pub Co, 2000
Couverture rigide