The study departs from the observation that in expressing ideas, some languages encode more details than others. It investigates whether languages encode events and/or objects at a coarse-grained (e.g., put, glass) as opposed to a fine-grained (e.g., lay, wine glass) level systematically. The level… read more
Edited by Katerina Stathi, Elke Gehweiler and Ekkehard König
This volume contains a selection of papers on grammaticalization from a broad perspective. Some of the papers focus on basic concepts in grammaticalization research such as the concept of 'grammar' as the endpoint of grammaticalization processes, erosion, (uni)directionality, the relation between… read more
Cross-linguistic diachronic studies have focused on the parallel or divergent development of cognate or functionally equivalent items. This paper traces the diachronic convergent development of two unrelated items by means of a case study, the development of the German verb scheinen ‘shine, emit… read more
This paper gives a descriptive overview of the Modern Greek system of temperature terms. Temperature sensation is lexicalised by ten adjectives, eight nouns, and four verbs. All terms are of native origin. Lexicalisation of temperature is characterised by a number of asymmetries. Each word class is… read more
This case study looks at the construction gehören + passive perfect participle (participle II) in present-day German. It focuses on a synchronic analysis, but also considers diachronic evidence. The construction has grammaticalized to a modal passive marker in which the participle typically… read more
