A Comprehensive Review of Change-of-State Constructions across Languages with a Focus on English
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.54855/ijli.24343Keywords:
Change-of-State, Syntax, Construction Grammar, English, Cross-LinguisticAbstract
Change-of-State (COS) constructions reveal essential aspects of language, bridging syntax, semantics, and pragmatics. Current research trends have highlighted gaps in understanding cross-linguistic patterns within COS constructions. This study addresses these gaps by investigating how COS constructions are encoded in English compared to Mandarin, Spanish, Hindi, and Russian, focusing on morphosyntactic structures and argument roles. The study involved analyzing documented linguistic data, employing Construction Grammar and thematic role frameworks to assess verb morphology, syntax, and argument structure. Key findings reveal both universal tendencies and language-specific differences in expressing state changes. These results enhance the theoretical framework for understanding language variability in COS expressions. This research underscores the significance of COS constructions in linguistic typology and proposes directions for further investigation, especially in underrepresented languages and alternative syntactic frameworks.
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