Epistemological challenges in the study of alternating constructions

Abstract

In this article we identify and discuss a number of epistemological challenges in the study of alternating constructions in natural languages. After proposing a working definition for the concept of ‘alternating constructions’, we address the following three specific issues: (i) the need to distinguish between qualitatively different types of alternating constructions, (ii) the need to distinguish between rules of grammar and regularities of language use in the study of alternating constructions, and (iii) the various challenges related to assessing correlation and causation in the study of alternating constructions. On the basis of these three challenges, we take stock of current research on alternating constructions and provide a number of suggestions for future research.