Chapter 1.Introduction1
1.1Grammar as a network2
1.2Structural priming as a similarity measure4
1.3The research gap5
1.4Structure of the book7
Chapter 2.Similarity relations in the grammatical network10
2.1Networks across disciplines: From sociology to cognitive linguistics11
2.2Six characteristics of cognitive-linguistic network models12
2.2.1A declarative non-derivational network13
2.2.2A psychologically plausible network14
2.2.3A multidimensional network of form and meaning15
2.2.4A network along the syntax-lexicon continuum16
2.2.5A usage-based network17
2.2.6A network of socially conventionalised units18
2.3The role of similarity in the network: Categorisation, schematicity and inheritance19
2.3.1The function of similarity relations20
2.3.2Multidimensional similarities22
2.3.3Similarities at multiple levels of schematicity25
2.3.4Representing similarity: Horizontal and vertical (inheritance) links32
2.4Types of similarity relations and empirically testable
predictions38
2.4.1Goldberg’s Surface Generalisation Hypothesis39
2.4.2Similar functions, different forms: Constructional alternations (or allostructions)40
2.4.3Similar forms, (partially) different functions: Constructional polysemy and homonymy45
2.4.4Partial similarities in form and function52
2.4.5A special case of functional similarity: Metaphorical links58
2.5Empirical evidence for constructional similarity62
2.6Summary and four theory-related questions67
Chapter 3.Structural priming: Background, methods and applications69
3.1Priming as a similarity measure69
3.2Sensitivity of priming to formal and functional similarities74
3.3Methods and target phenomena in structural priming78
3.4Within-construction and cross-constructional priming85
3.5Symmetric and asymmetric priming90
3.6Facilitatory and inhibitory priming92
3.7Summary and four methods-related questions95
Chapter 4.Priming evidence of similarity relations among alternating
constructions: A reinterpretation97
4.1Within-construction priming at multiple levels of abstraction98
4.1.1Priming of abstract constructional schemas98
4.1.2Priming of verb-specific representations104
4.1.3Frequency-based differences in the degree of priming107
4.1.4Interim summary111
4.2Cross-constructional priming between members of a single
alternation112
4.2.1A methodological challenge: Isolating cross-constructional priming effects113
4.2.2Double-object and to-dative: Evidence from “other” targets116
4.2.3Evidence from shifted to-datives125
4.2.4Interim summary128
4.3Cross-constructional priming between members of different
alternations129
4.3.1Priming between dative and benefactive constructions131
4.3.2Priming between the to-dative and the locative
caused-motion construction138
4.3.3Interim summary143
4.4Summary: Insights from priming among alternating constructions145
Chapter 5.Extending the scope of structural priming: Comprehension experiments with non-alternating constructions148
5.1Using comprehension priming to test non-alternating constructions149
5.1.1The flexibility of comprehension priming149
5.1.2Extending comprehension methods to argument structure
constructions151
5.1.3A variant of self-paced reading: The maze task152
5.2Priming between the resultative and the depictive construction155
5.2.1Research questions156
5.2.2Experiment 1: Standard maze task158
5.2.3Experiment 2: Modified maze task168
5.2.4Interim summary178
5.3Priming between the caused-motion and the resultative
construction180
5.3.1Using priming to test for metaphorical asymmetries180
5.3.2(A)symmetric priming between caused-motion and resultative
sentences183
5.3.3Interpreting inhibitory priming effects185
5.3.4Interim summary189
5.4Summary: Insights from priming among non-alternating constructions190
Chapter 6.Conclusion and further implications194
6.1Summary of key findings194
6.2Cognitive linguistics and structural priming – a symbiosis197
6.3Three further implications200