English comparative correlatives: diachronic and synchronic variation at the lexicon-syntax interface

One of the most intriguing features of languages is that speakers can produce novel grammatical utterances that they have never heard before. Consequently, most linguists agree that the mental grammars of speakers are complex systems that must be more abstract than the input they are exposed to. Yet...

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Bibliographische Detailangaben
1. Verfasser: Hoffmann, Thomas 1976- (VerfasserIn)
Format: Elektronisch E-Book
Sprache:English
Veröffentlicht: Cambridge Cambridge University Press 2019
Schriftenreihe:Studies in English language
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Zusammenfassung:One of the most intriguing features of languages is that speakers can produce novel grammatical utterances that they have never heard before. Consequently, most linguists agree that the mental grammars of speakers are complex systems that must be more abstract than the input they are exposed to. Yet, linguists differ as to how general and abstract speakers' mental representations have to be to allow this grammatical creativity. This book addresses this issue by empirically investigating one specific construction, English comparative correlatives (e.g., the more you eat, the fatter you get). Drawing on authentic corpus data from Old English to Present-day English varieties around the world, it shows how input frequency and domain-general cognitive principles affect the complex mental network of constructions that underlies speakers' linguistic behaviour. This pioneering and original study will be of interest to scholars and students of English syntax and English historical linguistics
Beschreibung:Title from publisher's bibliographic system (viewed on 09 May 2019)
Beschreibung:1 online resource (xvii, 259 pages)
ISBN:9781108569859
9781108477215
9781108702157
DOI:10.1017/9781108569859

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