Language change in a constructional network: the emergence of Mandarin [bi N hai N] comparative constructions
This paper explores the mechanisms of and motivations for two unconventional comparative constructions in Mandarin: [bi Ni hai Ni] and [bi Ni hai Nj]. They are unconventional in that the item expressing the dimension along which the comparison is made is a noun rather than an adjective. It is shown...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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De Gruyter
2025-02-01
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| Series: | Cognitive Linguistics |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1515/cog-2024-0019 |
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| author | Liu Meili Cuyckens Hubert Zhan Fangqiong |
| author_facet | Liu Meili Cuyckens Hubert Zhan Fangqiong |
| author_sort | Liu Meili |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This paper explores the mechanisms of and motivations for two unconventional comparative constructions in Mandarin: [bi Ni hai Ni] and [bi Ni hai Nj]. They are unconventional in that the item expressing the dimension along which the comparison is made is a noun rather than an adjective. It is shown that [bi Ni hai Ni] emerges (i) by analogy with the conventional comparative construction [bi N hai A] and (ii) by inheriting the nominal feature from an existing construction [Adverb N], which is corroborated by a collexeme analysis. At a more schematic level, the extension A > N observed in [bi N hai A] > [bi Ni hai Ni] may have been modeled on the existing development from [Adverb A] to [Adverb N]. Analogical extension and inheritance also underlie the subsequent development from [bi Ni hai Ni] to [bi Ni hai Nj]. This study not only shows how language changes in a constructional network (including node creation and network reconfiguration), but also sheds light on the nature of horizontal links. It also demonstrates how a synchronically perceived relation between constructions may impact a later, similar language change. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-700e06afe5ff499db82344529685df39 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 0936-5907 1613-3641 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | De Gruyter |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Cognitive Linguistics |
| spelling | doaj-art-700e06afe5ff499db82344529685df392025-08-25T06:10:17ZengDe GruyterCognitive Linguistics0936-59071613-36412025-02-0136112910.1515/cog-2024-0019Language change in a constructional network: the emergence of Mandarin [bi N hai N] comparative constructionsLiu Meili0Cuyckens Hubert1Zhan Fangqiong2School of TCM, Pharmacology Health, and Early Childhood Care, Ningbo College of Health Sciences, Ningbo, ChinaDepartment of Linguistics, 200642KU Leuven, Leuven, BelgiumNational Institute of Education, Nanyang TechnologicalUniversity, SingaporeThis paper explores the mechanisms of and motivations for two unconventional comparative constructions in Mandarin: [bi Ni hai Ni] and [bi Ni hai Nj]. They are unconventional in that the item expressing the dimension along which the comparison is made is a noun rather than an adjective. It is shown that [bi Ni hai Ni] emerges (i) by analogy with the conventional comparative construction [bi N hai A] and (ii) by inheriting the nominal feature from an existing construction [Adverb N], which is corroborated by a collexeme analysis. At a more schematic level, the extension A > N observed in [bi N hai A] > [bi Ni hai Ni] may have been modeled on the existing development from [Adverb A] to [Adverb N]. Analogical extension and inheritance also underlie the subsequent development from [bi Ni hai Ni] to [bi Ni hai Nj]. This study not only shows how language changes in a constructional network (including node creation and network reconfiguration), but also sheds light on the nature of horizontal links. It also demonstrates how a synchronically perceived relation between constructions may impact a later, similar language change.https://doi.org/10.1515/cog-2024-0019comparative constructionslanguage change; constructional networkconstruction grammarcollostructional analysismandarin chinese |
| spellingShingle | Liu Meili Cuyckens Hubert Zhan Fangqiong Language change in a constructional network: the emergence of Mandarin [bi N hai N] comparative constructions Cognitive Linguistics comparative constructions language change; constructional network construction grammar collostructional analysis mandarin chinese |
| title | Language change in a constructional network: the emergence of Mandarin [bi N hai N] comparative constructions |
| title_full | Language change in a constructional network: the emergence of Mandarin [bi N hai N] comparative constructions |
| title_fullStr | Language change in a constructional network: the emergence of Mandarin [bi N hai N] comparative constructions |
| title_full_unstemmed | Language change in a constructional network: the emergence of Mandarin [bi N hai N] comparative constructions |
| title_short | Language change in a constructional network: the emergence of Mandarin [bi N hai N] comparative constructions |
| title_sort | language change in a constructional network the emergence of mandarin bi n hai n comparative constructions |
| topic | comparative constructions language change; constructional network construction grammar collostructional analysis mandarin chinese |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1515/cog-2024-0019 |
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