Something I was dealing with
Preposition placement in multilingual constructicons
This contribution adopts a usage-based construction grammar approach to describe the word order variation between fronting (e.g., something with which I was dealing) and stranding (e.g., something which I was dealing with) in English as a second language. Using regression analysis, preposition placement in relative clauses is correlated with multiple usage-based variables, including specific lexical items and strings (e.g., with which, deal with). The results suggest that learners acquire a network of form-meaning constructions which represent their language use at multiple levels of schematicity, ranging from lexically specific prototypes to cross-linguistically shared representations. Moreover, effects of proficiency and lexical strings indicate that constructions remain adaptable to usage throughout learners’ lifetime and involve predictive knowledge, suggesting a dynamic view of constructions.
Article outline
- 1.Introduction
- 2.Preliminary considerations
- 2.1Descriptive redundancy and cross-linguistic representation
- 2.2What preposition placement depends on
- 3.The current study
- 4.Discussion
- 4.1Summary of findings
- 4.2Usage-based construction grammar view
- 4.3Predictability and adaptability of constructions
- 5.Conclusion
-
Note
-
References
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