Chapter 5
From idioms to semi-schematic constructions and vice
versa
The case of [a un paso
de X]
Taking as a starting point the spatial
construction [SUB Vestar a
un
X{unit_of_measurement} de-PP{place_a}]:
‘the distance to PLACE A is exactly
X{unit_of_measurement}’ and its metaphorical
extensions within the so-called family of proximity constructions,
the present corpus-based study aims to demonstrate the continuum
between partially lexically fixed and fully lexically specified
constructions (idioms) by highlighting the interaction between units
of both kinds on the basis of horizontal and vertical links. Another
important aim of this research is to explain the relationship
between the spatial, temporal, modal-conditional and epistemic
modality meanings observed in the proximity constructions.
In contrast to the traditional phraseological theory, Construction
Grammar represents an ideal framework for explaining the creative
potential of idioms and for describing the different degrees of
schematicity and entrenchment of constructions along the
lexicon-grammar continuum.
Article outline
- 1.Object of study
- 2.Corpus data extraction
- 3.The family of proximity constructions
- 3.1Spatial meaning
- 3.2Temporal meaning
- 3.3Modal-conditional meaning
- 3.3.1The emergent micro-construction estar a
un clic(k) ‘to be one click away’
- 3.3.2Emergence of new semi-schematic constructions on
the basis of micro-constructions
- 3.4The epistemic modality construction and the
micro-construction estar a un paso ‘to be one
step away’ (‘to be about to’)
- 4.Conclusions
-
Notes
-
References
-
Consulted corpora
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