Lexicalization and Language Change
Lexicalization and Language Change
Elizabeth Closs Traugott, Stanford University, California
Lexicalization, a process of language change, has been conceptualized in a variety of ways. Broadly defined as the adoption of concepts into the lexicon, it has been viewed by syntacticians as the reverse process of grammaticalization, by morphologists as a routine process of word-formation, and by semanticists as the development of concrete meanings. In this up-to-date survey, Laurel Brinton and Elizabeth Traugott examine the various conceptualizations of lexicalization that have been presented in the literature. In light of contemporary work on grammaticalization, they then propose a new, unified model of lexicalization and grammaticalization. Their approach is illustrated with a variety of case studies from the history of English, including present participles, multi-word verbs, adverbs, and discourse markers, as well as some examples from other Indo-European languages. The first review of the various approaches to lexicalization, this book will be invaluable to students and scholars of historical linguistics and language change.
- The first ever review of the various approaches to lexicalization that have been presented in the literature
- Proposes a brand new, unified approach to lexicalization and grammaticalization
- Draws on a wealth of data from the history of English
Reviews & endorsements
"Let me affirm once more the boon that is this book. If concise, intelligible summary of a vast body of technical literature comprises an enormous service to the community of linguists stretched all too thin by the isolating effects of micro-specialization, then the cogent, mindful blending of these disparate elements into a systematic approach constitutes a service worthy of broad attention." - Jamin R. Pelkey, SIL International and La Trobe University
Product details
November 2005Paperback
9780521540636
220 pages
229 × 153 × 15 mm
0.361kg
Available
Table of Contents
- 1. Contexts for the study of lexicalization and grammaticalization
- 2. Lexicalization: definitions and viewpoints
- 3. The relation of lexicalization to grammaticalization
- 4. Towards an integrated approach to lexicalization and grammaticalization
- 5. Case studies
- 6. Conclusion and research questions.
