構文理論は反証可能か Can Construction Grammar Be Proven Wrong? (Elements in Construction Grammar)

Cappelle, Bert

Cambridge University Press（2024/02発売）

• 製本 Paperback:紙装版/ペーパーバック版／ページ数 82 p.
• 言語 ENG
• 商品コード 9781009343206
• DDC分類 415.01836

Full Description

Construction Grammar has gained prominence in linguistics, owing its popularity to its inclusive approach that considers language units of varying sizes and generality as potential constructions - mentally stored form-function units. This Element serves as a cautionary note against complacency and dogmatism. It emphasizes the enduring importance of falsifiability as a criterion for scientific hypotheses and theories. Can every postulated construction, in principle, be empirically demonstrated not to exist? As a case study, the author examines the schematic English transitive verb-particle construction, which defies experimental verification. He argues that we can still reject its non-existence using sound linguistic reasoning. But beyond individual constructions, what could be a crucial test for Construction Grammar itself, one that would falsify it as a theory? In making a proposal for such a test, designed to prove that speakers also exhibit pure-form knowledge, this Element contributes to ongoing discussions about Construction Grammar's theoretical foundations.

Contents

1. Introduction: The Stakes; 2. Can't Touch This: Does CxG Have an Attitude Problem?; 3. Falsificationism: A Still-Influential Approach to Scientific Inquiry; 4. The Particular but Generalizable Problem Posed by Particle Verbs; 5. How CxG could Play the Science Game Fairly; 6. Keep Calm and Constructi-con.