Construction Grammar

Question 1

Speakers must learn idiomatic phrases as a unit (rather than individual lexical items). This makes them…

Answer 1

non-compositional

Question 2

Idioms can be classified into different types based on four parameters…

Answer 2

1. Decoding v. encoding
2. Grammatical v. extragrammatical
3. With v. without pragmatic force
4. Substantive v. formal

Question 3

What is the difference between decoding and encoding idioms?

Answer 3

Decoding idioms are not semantically transparent - they have to be decoded as a unit
–> kicked the bucket

Encoding idioms are semantically transparent and may be understood on the first hearing
–> Wide awake
–> answer the door

Question 4

What’s the difference between grammatical and extragrammatical idioms?

Answer 4

Grammatical idioms follow the usual rules of grammar
–> Spill the beans

Extragrammatical rules don’t follow the usual rules of grammar
–> All of a sudden
–> by and large

Question 5

What’s the difference between idioms with and without pragmatic force?

Answer 5

Idioms with pragmatic force have a clear pragmatic function
–> How do you do?
–> What’s your cat doing in my room?

Idioms without pragmatic force appear to be pragmatically neutral
–> on the whole
–> by and large

Question 6

What’s the difference between substantive and formal idioms?

Answer 6

Substantive idioms are lexically specified - composed of specific lexical items
–> Kick the bucket v. kick the pail

Formal idioms are not lexically specified but rather syntactic frames into which different lexical items can be inserted
–> George doesn’t understand math, [let alone] rocket science

Question 7

Construction grammar approaches to language assume…

Answer 7

… there isn’t a clear distinction between idioms and “regular” (compositional) parts of grammar

idiomatic constructions are not an exception but rather the central feature of human language

Question 8

3 advantages of acknowledging the existence of constructions

Answer 8

• avoids implausible verb senses
• offers semantic parsimony
• bypasses the issue of compositionality

Question 9

heymama

Answer 9

you got this