Construction grammar challenges traditional categorizations of words and emphasizes the pairing of form and meaning in language constructions.
The concept of word classes varies across languages, encouraging conlangers to avoid rigid categorizations and consider how different languages package information.
Language creators and documenters should explore the diverse ways in which languages express and package information, as well as how constructions can be recruited for new functions.
Deep dives
Function and Form in Construction Grammar
Construction grammar emphasizes the pairing of form and meaning in language constructions. It recognizes that constructions can be used to express a wide range of functions, from referring to objects and modifying concepts to predicating actions. This approach challenges the traditional categorization of words into nouns, verbs, and adjectives, instead focusing on the various ways constructions are used to package information. By examining the form-function relationship across languages, construction grammar highlights both the universality and diversity of language structures and encourages conlangers to think dynamically and creatively when designing their own languages.
The Complexity of Word Classes
The concept of word classes, such as noun, verb, and adjective, is not as straightforward as commonly thought. Language exhibits a tremendous amount of variation and diversity when it comes to defining and categorizing words. While Western European languages tend to adhere to certain grammatical traditions, other languages, especially those without a written or grammatical tradition, may express similar functions in completely different ways. Typologists use comparative concepts to analyze the range of ways languages express functions like predication and modification. This challenges conlangers to carefully consider how different languages package information and to avoid rigid categorizations when designing their own language's word classes.
The Importance of Information Packaging
In language, the packaging of information is a crucial aspect of communication. Construction grammar highlights how different functions, such as reference, predication, and modification, are realized in language constructions. These functions can apply to objects, properties, and actions, creating a three-by-three grid of possibilities. While the diagonal represents the prototypical noun, verb, and adjective constructions, it is essential to explore the other cells as well. Language creators and documenters should consider the diverse ways in which languages express and package information, as well as the ways constructions can be recruited for new functions. By studying the range of constructions across languages, conlangers gain insights into how to design languages that align with human language patterns.
Diverse ways of expressing property concepts
Languages employ diverse constructions to express property concepts. For example, in English, there are different comparative forms for adjectives, such as seplician forms (good, better), morphological inflections (tall, taller), and paraphrastic forms (more intelligent). This variation in comparative forms can be observed across languages and highlights the diversity in expressing property concepts.
Recruiting constructions from different functions
Languages often recruit constructions from conceptually neighboring functions to express complex meanings. For instance, in English, the construction 'better' is used as an auxiliary, even though it is the comparative form of an adjective. This shows how languages can borrow constructions from related functions. In constructing new languages, conlangers can also utilize this creative approach by incorporating constructions from different functions to achieve specific communicative purposes.
George and William invite Prof. William Croft to talk about his theoretical approach to word classes and constructions. Forget a language without adjectives, let’s talk about how your property concepts are predicated! Links and Resources: Croft, William. in preparation. Morphosyntax: constructions of the world’s languages. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Chapter 1, Chapter 2 Croft, William.... Read more »
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