Abstract
Abstract Using the much debated German particle verb construction as an example, some basic questions of Construction Grammar are investigated: constructional meanings, compositionality of meaning, the role of lexical verb bases, morphological and/or syntactal analysis. It is argued that the traditional mode of presentation in historical-comparative grammar (as practiced by Neogrammarians like Hermann Paul) is “constructional” in spirit and mirrors empirical concern for constructional change and constructional meaning. Prototypical verb particles are analyzed within a pattern of grammaticalization and lexicalization of adverbial relators stemming from deictic “imperatives” comparable with English elements like Down!, Up!, Away!, Out!. These elements are the sources for the evolution of prepositions and copredicative adverbials used to build patterns of “phrasal verbs” and particle constructions.
Published Version
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