Cognitive Foundations of Grammar

✍ Scribed by Bernd Heine

• Year: 1997
• Tongue: English
• Leaves: 196
• Category: Library

✦ Synopsis

The main function of language is to convey meaning. Therefore, argues Bernd Heine in these pages, the question of why language is structured the way it is must first of all be answered with reference to this function. Linguistic explanations offered in terms of other exponents of language structure (for example, syntax) are likely to highlight peripheral or epi-phenomenal--rather than central--characteristics of language structure. Heine provides a solid introductory treatment of the ways in which language structure (that is, grammar) and language usage can be explained with reference to the processes underlying human conceptualization and communication.Exploring an area of linguistics that has developed only recently and is rapidly expanding, Cognitive Foundations of Grammar will appeal to students of linguistics, psychology, and anthropology, especially those interested in grammaticalization processess.

✦ Table of Contents

Contents......Page 8
Abbreviations......Page 10
1.1 Assumptions......Page 14
1.2 Methodological issues......Page 18
1.3 This volume......Page 26
2 Numerals......Page 29
2.1 The body-part model......Page 30
2.2 Variation......Page 35
2.3 Morphosyntax......Page 40
2.4 On transparency......Page 42
2.5 Summary......Page 43
3 Spatial Orientation......Page 46
3.1 Deictic orientation......Page 48
3.2 Cardinal orientation......Page 60
3.3 Some principles of spatial orientation......Page 68
3.4 Notes on grammar......Page 69
3.5 Summary......Page 73
4 Indefinite Articles......Page 77
4.1 Generalizations......Page 78
4.2 Evolution......Page 82
4.3 Answers......Page 87
4.4 Discussion......Page 89
4.5 Summary......Page 92
5.1 Concepts, constructions, and problems......Page 94
5.2 Event schemas......Page 101
5.3 Morphosyntactic implications......Page 109
5.4 Explaining possessive constructions......Page 112
5.5 Summary......Page 115
6 Comparison......Page 120
6.1 Event schemas......Page 122
6.2 A note on the superlative......Page 135
6.3 Areal forces......Page 137
6.4 Summary......Page 140
7 Beyond Grammar......Page 142
7.1 From object to body-part......Page 143
7.2 From one part of the body to another......Page 144
7.3 From body-part to inanimate object......Page 148
7.4 Discussion......Page 150
7.5 Summary......Page 155
8 Outlook......Page 158
References......Page 166
C......Page 186
M......Page 187
Z......Page 188
E......Page 189
P......Page 190
Z......Page 191
C......Page 192
G......Page 193
P......Page 194
T......Page 195
Z......Page 196