Can Construction Grammar Be Proven Wrong?

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Bert Cappelle (Université de Lille and Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Paris)

Can Construction Grammar Be Proven Wrong?

Bert Cappelle (Université de Lille and Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Paris)

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English

Cambridge University Press
01 February 2024

Psycholinguistics; Grammar, syntax

Series: Elements in Construction Grammar

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.

By: Bert Cappelle (Université de Lille and Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) Paris)
Imprint: Cambridge University Press
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 230mm, Width: 150mm, Spine: 5mm
Weight: 150g
ISBN: 9781009343206
ISBN 10: 1009343203
Series: Elements in Construction Grammar
Pages: 82
Publication Date: 01 February 2024
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active

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.