Copying of argument structure
A gap in borrowing scales and a new approach to model
contact-induced change
This article deals with the copying of argument
structure, pursuing two aims: first, I will discuss why the copying
of verbs, and more specifically their argument structure, has never
been truly dealt with in models of language contact, including
borrowing scales and hierarchies. I will show that the reason lies
in the use of the long-standing dichotomy between lexical and
structural borrowing, which should be rethought. Second, I will
propose an alternative approach using Johanson’s integrative
approach to language contact and code copying (2002, 2008), Holler’s
(2015) definition of integration conflicts on the level
of argument structure, and a modified version of Myers-Scotton’s (2002)
Abstract Level Model. I will apply my approach to a qualitative
empirical corpus study of Old French psych verbs copied to Middle
English, focusing on the description, analysis, and theoretical
modelling of the integration conflict that arises with the
EXPERIENCER argument syntactically expressed by a
to-PP on the model of Old French. Finally, I
will compare my findings with similar findings from studies of
language acquisition and suggest some generalisations.
Article outline
- 1.Introduction
- 2.Borrowing hierarchies and the place of verbs
- 3.Historical language contact and the copying of verbs
- 4.The copying of verbs and integration conflicts
- 5.Integrated and non-integrated verbs copied from Old French to
Middle English
- 6.Towards a new approach
- 7.Concluding remarks
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Notes
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Abbreviations
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References