The Constructicon: Taxonomies and Networks

The constructicon is a network of taxonomically related grammatical patterns that organize constructions. Recent research in usage-based linguistics has expanded the classical inheritance model into a multidimensional network approach, challenging longstanding assumptions and calling for a reorganization of the constructivist approach.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 75 pages
Publication date: 22 June 2023
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Construction grammar is a linguistic theory that asserts that constructions are organized in a network, often referred to as the constructicon. In the classical model of construction grammar, developed by Berkeley linguists in the 1990s, the constructicon is an inheritance network of taxonomically related grammatical patterns. However, recent research in usage-based linguistics has expanded the classical inheritance model into a multidimensional network approach, in which constructions are interconnected by multiple types of associations.

The multidimensional network approach challenges longstanding assumptions of linguistic research and calls for a reorganization of the constructivist approach. This element describes how the conception of the constructicon has changed in recent years and elaborates on some central claims of the multidimensional network approach.

One of the key insights of the multidimensional network approach is that constructions are not isolated entities but are part of a broader linguistic network. This network includes not only grammatical patterns but also semantic, pragmatic, and cultural factors that contribute to the meaning and usage of constructions. For example, a construction like "have a headache" may be associated with physical pain, but it can also be used in a figurative sense to express frustration or annoyance.

Another important aspect of the multidimensional network approach is that constructions are not fixed or universal but are shaped by the specific context in which they are used. This means that the same construction can have different meanings and usage patterns in different languages and cultures. For example, the construction "have a headache" may be used in English to express physical pain, while in Japanese it may be used to express embarrassment or shame.

The multidimensional network approach also emphasizes the role of cognitive processes in the construction of meaning. According to this approach, the mind of the speaker or writer constructs meaning by drawing on a range of cognitive resources, including memory, knowledge, and experience. This means that the same construction can be interpreted differently by different individuals based on their cognitive abilities and background.

In conclusion, the multidimensional network approach to construction grammar provides a new and comprehensive framework for understanding the organization and meaning of constructions. By recognizing the interconnectedness of constructions with other linguistic elements and the role of cognitive processes in the construction of meaning, this approach challenges longstanding assumptions of linguistic research and calls for a reorganization of the constructivist approach.

Weight: 164g
Dimension: 152 x 230 x 8 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781009327817