Diachronic Construction Grammar

Presenters: Elena Smirnova

T1TFA1

When the framework of Construction Grammar (CxG) was originally developed, its main objective was to accurately describe speakers' linguistic knowledge. Thus, CxG emerged as a synchronic theory of language. It was only later that it proved to be a valuable descriptive tool for analyzing language change. As a usage-based and fundamentally cognitive approach to language structure, CxG is well-suited to model gradual, incremental, bottom-up changes resulting from language use. Concepts such as frequency effects, analogy, chunking, entrenchment, and conventionalization naturally fit within the emerging field known as Diachronic Construction Grammar (DCxG). This workshop will provide an overview of recent developments in DCxG research and explore the central questions driving current studies in this area. In the first part of the workshop, we will focus on theory, discussing the conceptual fundamentals of DCxG and their application to specific instances of language change. In the second part, we will examine individual case studies from various domains of grammar and different languages. In the third part, we will debate the strengths and limitations of the DCxG approach and identify questions for future research.

Keywords: Construction Grammar, Grammaticalization, Morphosyntax, Usage-Based Linguistics, Language Change, Lexicon, Theoretical Frameworks

Presenters

Elena Smirnova

Université de Neuchâtel

I am a Professor of German Linguistics at the University of Neuchâtel in Switzerland, holding both a PhD and a Habilitation degree in German Linguistics from the Leibniz Universität Hannover, Germany. My primary research focus is on the dynamics of language change, a topic that has captivated me from the start. I am fascinated by the fact that linguistic changes are not chaotic but follow specific regularities that mirror patterns of language use. My background in grammaticalization theory naturally led me to explore usage-based constructionist approaches to grammar. My research interests encompass historical linguistics, construction grammar, cognitive grammar, and corpus linguistics.