FLL research: Grammar

Description

In their research of nominal and clausal construction types, the members of the FLL research group consistently apply a functional and usage-based approach to the grammar of English. The main descriptive aim lies with the description of syntagmatic relations between component units in constructions, and with the elucidation of the representational and interpersonal semantics of these constructional templates.

Topics studied at the clausal and supraclausal level include ergatives and middles, locative and material/product constructions, types of coordination and subordination, and types of reported speech and thought constructions. At the level of the phrase, the main interest of the FLL group is in the form and function of the noun phrase.

Representative publications

Breban, Tine (2002/2003) The grammaticalization of the adjectives of identity and difference in English and Dutch. Languages in Contrast 4 (1): 167-201.

Davidse, Kristin and Sara Geyskens (1998) Have you walked the dog yet? The ergative causativization of intransitives. WORD 49 (2): 155-180.

Davidse, Kristin and Liesbet Heyvaert (forthcoming) On the middle voice: An interpersonal analysis of the English middle. Linguistics.

Davidse, Kristin and An Laffut (2002) English locative constructions: An exercise in neo-Firthian description and dialogue with other schools. Functions of Language 9 (2): 169-206.

Heyvaert, Liesbet (1998) Deverbal -er nominalization in English and Dutch: a contrastive analysis. Languages in Contrast 1 (2): 211-243.

Heyvaert, Liesbet (2001) Nominalization as an ‘interpersonally-driven’ system. Functions of Language 8 (2): 287-330.

Heyvaert, Liesbet (2003) Deverbal -er suffixation as the equivalent of the clausal Subject-Finite unit. WORD 54 (1): 53-82.

Vandelanotte, Lieven (2002) Prenominal adjectives in English: Structures and ordering. Folia Linguistica XXXVI (3-4): 219-259.

Vandelanotte, Lieven (2004) Deixis and grounding in speech and thought representation. Journal of Pragmatics 36 (3): 489-520.

Vandelanotte, Lieven and Peter Willemse (2002) Restrictive and non-restrictive modification of proprial lemmas. WORD 53 (1): 9-36.

Verstraete, Jean-Christophe (1998) A semiotic model for the description of levels in conjunction: External, internal-modal and internal-speech functional. Functions of Language 5 (2): 179-211.

Verstraete, Jean-Christophe (2001) Subjective and objective modality: Interpersonal and ideational functions in the English modal auxiliary system. Journal of Pragmatics 33 (10): 1505-1528.

Verstraete, Jean-Christophe (2004) Initial and final position for adverbial clauses in English: The constructional basis of the discursive and syntactic differences. Linguistics 42 (4): 819–853.