Abstract
Corpus linguistics prompts a lexicocentric approach to linguistic theory. The theory of norms and exploitations (TNE; Hanks, forthcoming) is such a t heory, applying the insights of prototype theory and Sinclairian text analysis to the empirical evid ence of large corpora. By studying words in context, we can identify the normal patterns of usa ge that are associated with each word. A meaning, or meaning potential, can then be associat ed with each pattern. A central question in this approach to language analysis concerns metaphors and idioms. In the present paper, conventional metaphors and idioms are classified as “norms” (i. e. conventional uses), while dynamic, ad-hoc metaphors are classified as “exploitations” of norm s. Evidence is adduced to show that, at least in some cases, conventional metaphors can be distingui shed from “literal” senses by their particular syntagmatic patterns. The paper also discusses the importance of text type and domain in achieving a satisfactory interpretation of idiomatic expressi ons. 1. Norms and Exploitations
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