Emerging English Modals: A Corpus-Based Study of Grammaticalization (Topics in English Linguistics [TiEL], 32)

This work is essentially based on grammaticalization theory – a branch of linguistics which has gained prominence since the 1980s. It focuses on the interaction between diachrony and synchrony, langue and parole or, for that matter, competence and performance, I–language and Ε–language. It does not see these levels as distinct linguistic domains, as much structurally oriented work does. It is important for the present purposes that such an interactionist view entails that performance effects may over time cause new grammatical code relations. Hence the importance of statistical empirical research, which led the author to adopt a predominantly corpus-based approach. Subject-matter And Central Claims -- Emerging Modals And Emergent Grammar -- Theoretical, Methodological And Empirical Foundations -- Functionalism, Economy, Frequency -- Grammaticalization -- Early Proponents Of Grammaticalization Theory -- The Cologne Project: Lehmann, Heine And Associates -- Recent Developments -- Contact-induced Change And Sociolinguistic Dialectology -- A Corpus-based Approach -- Scope And Aims -- The Sources Of The Present Study -- Historical Corpora -- Corpora Of Contemporary English -- Defining Modality And Auxiliarihood -- Properties Of English Auxiliaries And Modals -- The Relevance Of The History Of English Central Modals To The Study Of Emerging Modals -- Previous Research On Emerging Modals -- Largely Descriptive Approaches -- The Contraction Debate -- Have Got To/gotta And Have To/hafta -- History And Grammatical (re- )analysis -- Have To -- Have Got To -- Increase In Discourse Frequency -- Long-term Trends: Archer -- Short-term Trends -- Syntax And Semantics Of Have To And Have Got To -- Mechanisms Of Grammaticalization -- Present-day Properties -- Stylistic Variation -- Regional Variation -- Want To And Wanna -- The Rise Of Want: Increase In Discourse Frequency And Changing Patterns Of Complementation -- Old And Middle English: From Impersonal To Transitive Use -- Early Modern And Modern English -- Present-day English -- Semantic Developments -- The Evolution Of Volitional Modality -- Extension To Other Modal Meanings -- Phonological And Morphosyntactic Developments Within Present-day English. Manfred G. Krug. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.

This work is essentially based on grammaticalization theory – a branch of linguistics which has gained prominence since the 1980s. It focuses on the interaction between diachrony and synchrony, langue and parole or, for that matter, competence and performance, I–language and ?–language. It does not see these levels as distinct linguistic domains, as much structurally oriented work does. It is important for the present purposes that such an interactionist view entails that performance effects may over time cause new grammatical code relations. Hence the importance of statistical empirical research, which led the author to adopt a predominantly corpus-based approach.

This work is essentially based on grammaticalization theory a branch of linguistics which has gained prominence since the 1980s. It focuses on the interaction between diachrony and synchrony, langue and parole or, for that matter, competence and performance, I language and ? language. It does not see these levels as distinct linguistic domains, as much structurally oriented work does. It is important for the present purposes that such an interactionist view entails that performance effects may over time cause new grammatical code relations. Hence the importance of statistical empirical research, which led the author to adopt a predominantly corpus-based approach. This monograph provides a detailed account of the fundamental changes which have recently affected - and which are still affecting - the system of English auxiliaries. Emerging English Modals: A Corpus-Based Study of Grammaticalization (Topics in English Linguistics, No 32)