The Lexical Constructional Model (LCM henceforth; Ruiz de Mendoza & Mairal 2007, 2009; Baicchi 2008) is a robust framework which has recently developed a usage-based comprehensive theory of meaning construction, which includes a fine-grained treatment of the syntax-semantics interface. Stemming from the claim that syntax is by no means autonomous but motivated with respect to semantics and pragmatics, the paper offers a variationist account of motion verbs in two typologically unrelated languages (Talmy 2000; Slobin 2003) -English and Italian- and describe how such verbs participate in motion constructions such as the caused-motion, the resultative, and the way-construction (Boas 2003, 2008; Goldberg 1995; Israel 1996; Ruiz de Mendoza & Mairal 2007; Baicchi 2009). It demonstrates how the LCM reveals particularly relevant in this respect since it proposes a theory of semantic interpretation which is constructed on the basis of two representational mechanisms –lexical and constructional templates– and two basic cognitive operations –subsumption and conceptual cueing– that specify how meaning representations from different levels may interact (Ruiz de Mendoza & Mairal Usón 2008: 355). Dipping on the LCM, English and Italian motion lexical templates are discussed when subsumed into motion constructional templates.
The subsumption process of the intransitive-transitive migration
BAICCHI, ANNALISA
2009-01-01
Abstract
The Lexical Constructional Model (LCM henceforth; Ruiz de Mendoza & Mairal 2007, 2009; Baicchi 2008) is a robust framework which has recently developed a usage-based comprehensive theory of meaning construction, which includes a fine-grained treatment of the syntax-semantics interface. Stemming from the claim that syntax is by no means autonomous but motivated with respect to semantics and pragmatics, the paper offers a variationist account of motion verbs in two typologically unrelated languages (Talmy 2000; Slobin 2003) -English and Italian- and describe how such verbs participate in motion constructions such as the caused-motion, the resultative, and the way-construction (Boas 2003, 2008; Goldberg 1995; Israel 1996; Ruiz de Mendoza & Mairal 2007; Baicchi 2009). It demonstrates how the LCM reveals particularly relevant in this respect since it proposes a theory of semantic interpretation which is constructed on the basis of two representational mechanisms –lexical and constructional templates– and two basic cognitive operations –subsumption and conceptual cueing– that specify how meaning representations from different levels may interact (Ruiz de Mendoza & Mairal Usón 2008: 355). Dipping on the LCM, English and Italian motion lexical templates are discussed when subsumed into motion constructional templates.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
