Thomas Hoffmann

Constructions are long-term pairings in memory of form and meaning. How are they created and learned, how do they change, and how do they combine into new utterances (constructs, communicative performances) in working memory? Drawing on evidence from word-formation (blending, Noun-Noun-compounds) over idioms and argument structure constructions to multimodal communication, we argue that computational metaphors such as 'unification' or 'constraint-satisfaction' do not constitute a cognitively adequate explanation. Instead, we put forward the idea that construction combination is performed by Conceptual Blending – a domain-general process of higher cognition that has been used to explain complex human behavior such as, inter alia, scientific discovery, reasoning, art, music, dance, math, social cognition, and religion. This title is also available as Open Access on Cambridge Core.

Constructions are long-term pairings in memory of form and meaning. How are they created and learned, how do they change, and how do they combine into new utterances (constructs, communicative performances) in working memory? Drawing on evidence from word-formation (blending, Noun-Noun-compounds) over idioms and argument structure constructions to multimodal communication, we argue that computational metaphors such as 'unification' or 'constraint-satisfaction' do not constitute a cognitively adequate explanation. Instead, we put forward the idea that construction combination is performed by Conceptual Blending – a domain-general process of higher cognition that has been used to explain complex human behavior such as, inter alia, scientific discovery, reasoning, art, music, dance, math, social cognition, and religion. This title is also available as Open Access on Cambridge Core.

The present book provides an introduction to the linguistic model of Construction Grammar, offering a full analysis of the grammar of the English language. It covers all levels of morpho-syntactic form-meaning units: including sentence types, tense and aspect, argument structure, phrases, idioms, word and morphological constructions. In line with its usage-based approach, all constructions are discussed using authentic corpus examples. In order to illustrate how constructions can be learnt, the book draws on authentic data from child language. Furthermore, corpus analysis is used to show which lexical items typically occur in the slots of constructions and make up their ‘collo-profile’.A key feature of the book is that it develops a systematic method for showing how constructions combine to form actual utterances. For this purpose, so-called ‘construction grids’ are developed which contain all the constructions that make up even the most complex sentences and show points of overlap between them.

AI can assist the linguist in doing research on the structure of language. This Element illustrates this possibility by showing how a conversational AI based on a Large Language Model (AI LLM chatbot) can assist the Construction Grammarian, and especially the Frame Semanticist. An AI LLM chatbot is a text-generation system trained on vast amounts of text. To generate text, it must be able to find patterns in the data and mimic some linguistic capacity, at least in the eyes of a cooperative human user. The authors do not focus on whether AIs “understand” language. Rather, they investigate whether AI LLM chatbots are useful tools for linguists. They reframe the discussion from what AI LLM chatbots can do with language to what they can do for linguists. They find that a chatty LLM can labor usefully as an eliciting interlocutor, and present precise, scripted routines for prompting conversational LLMs.

AI can assist the linguist in doing research on the structure of language. This Element illustrates this possibility by showing how a conversational AI based on a Large Language Model (AI LLM chatbot) can assist the Construction Grammarian, and especially the Frame Semanticist. An AI LLM chatbot is a text-generation system trained on vast amounts of text. To generate text, it must be able to find patterns in the data and mimic some linguistic capacity, at least in the eyes of a cooperative human user. The authors do not focus on whether AIs “understand” language. Rather, they investigate whether AI LLM chatbots are useful tools for linguists. They reframe the discussion from what AI LLM chatbots can do with language to what they can do for linguists. They find that a chatty LLM can labor usefully as an eliciting interlocutor, and present precise, scripted routines for prompting conversational LLMs.

What do speakers of a language have to know, and what can they 'figure out' on the basis of that knowledge, in order for them to use their language successfully? This is the question at the heart of Construction Grammar, an approach to the study of language that views all dimensions of language as equal contributors to shaping linguistic expressions. The trademark characteristic of Construction Grammar is the insight that language is a repertoire of more or less complex patterns – constructions – that integrate form and meaning. This textbook shows how a Construction Grammar approach can be used to analyse the English language, offering explanations for language acquisition, variation and change. It covers all levels of syntactic description, from word-formation and inflectional morphology to phrasal and clausal phenomena and information-structure constructions. Each chapter includes exercises and further readings, making it an accessible introduction for undergraduate students of linguistics and English language.

What do speakers of a language have to know, and what can they 'figure out' on the basis of that knowledge, in order for them to use their language successfully? This is the question at the heart of Construction Grammar, an approach to the study of language that views all dimensions of language as equal contributors to shaping linguistic expressions. The trademark characteristic of Construction Grammar is the insight that language is a repertoire of more or less complex patterns – constructions – that integrate form and meaning. This textbook shows how a Construction Grammar approach can be used to analyse the English language, offering explanations for language acquisition, variation and change. It covers all levels of syntactic description, from word-formation and inflectional morphology to phrasal and clausal phenomena and information-structure constructions. Each chapter includes exercises and further readings, making it an accessible introduction for undergraduate students of linguistics and English language.

Varieties of English are spoken all over the world from Africa to Asia, from Europe to America. In addition to its use as a foreign language, English in many of these countries is a first or second language variety that initially arose in a colonial setting. Currently, the most influential sociolinguistic model for the evolution of these 'Post-Colonial Englishes' is the Dynamic Model. In this Element, I outline how Construction Grammar, the most prominent cognitive syntactic theory, can provide a cognitive foundation for the assumptions made by the Dynamic Model. As I shall argue, Construction Grammar naturally complements the Dynamic Model and, in addition to that, a 'Constructionist Grammar Approach to the Dynamic Model' approach generates new research questions concerning the productivity of syntactic patterns across Dynamic Model phases.

One of the most intriguing features of languages is that speakers can produce novel grammatical utterances that they have never heard before. Consequently, most linguists agree that the mental grammars of speakers are complex systems that must be more abstract than the input they are exposed to. Yet, linguists differ as to how general and abstract speakers' mental representations have to be to allow this grammatical creativity. This book addresses this issue by empirically investigating one specific construction, English comparative correlatives (e.g., the more you eat, the fatter you get). Drawing on authentic corpus data from Old English to Present-day English varieties around the world, it shows how input frequency and domain-general cognitive principles affect the complex mental network of constructions that underlies speakers' linguistic behaviour. This pioneering and original study will be of interest to scholars and students of English syntax and English historical linguistics.

Das SchVG regelt mit den Schuldverschreibungen aus Gesamtemissionen eine wertpapierrechtliche Materie von großem wirtschaftlichem Gewicht und mit engen Bezügen zum Aktienrecht (v.a. in der HV). Besondere Relevanz entfaltet es bei der Restrukturierung von Anleihen. Die Bearbeiter sind profilierte Experten, die die Materie im Rahmen ihrer anwaltlichen Praxis in aller wissenschaftlichen Tiefe durchdrungen haben.

Ein emeritierter Anthropologe, der sich im Westerwald zur Ruhe setzt und eine unglaubliche Entdeckung macht, eine junge Frau, die mithilfe des "Enkeltricks" an das Verm gen eines wohlhabenden Mannes kommen will, ein Psychiater, der zu drastischen Methoden greift, um einen Patienten zu heilen, und ein Pension r, der von seinem Smartphone mit einem makabren Countdown geschockt wird, das sind nur einige der Figuren im "Westerwald tzi", die alle Liebhaber des schwarzen Humors einladen zu einer irrwitzigen Achterbahnfahrt in die Tiefen der menschlichen Seele. Elf Kurzgeschichten und Erz hlungen, die nach "Gefallener Engel" erneut ironisch-sanfte Schlaglichter auf menschliche Tr ume und Abgr nde werfen: skurril, pointenreich und bisweilen sehr makaber.

Ein emeritierter Anthropologe, der sich im Westerwald zur Ruhe setzt und eine unglaubliche Entdeckung macht, eine junge Frau, die mithilfe des "Enkeltricks" an das Verm gen eines wohlhabenden Mannes kommen will, ein Psychiater, der zu drastischen Methoden greift, um einen Patienten zu heilen, und ein Pension r, der von seinem Smartphone mit einem makabren Countdown geschockt wird, das sind nur einige der Figuren im "Westerwald tzi", die alle Liebhaber des schwarzen Humors einladen zu einer irrwitzigen Achterbahnfahrt in die Tiefen der menschlichen Seele. Elf Kurzgeschichten und Erz hlungen, die nach "Gefallener Engel" erneut ironisch-sanfte Schlaglichter auf menschliche Tr ume und Abgr nde werfen: skurril, pointenreich und bisweilen sehr makaber.

One of the most intriguing features of languages is that speakers can produce novel grammatical utterances that they have never heard before. Consequently, most linguists agree that the mental grammars of speakers are complex systems that must be more abstract than the input they are exposed to. Yet, linguists differ as to how general and abstract speakers' mental representations have to be to allow this grammatical creativity. This book addresses this issue by empirically investigating one specific construction, English comparative correlatives (e.g., the more you eat, the fatter you get). Drawing on authentic corpus data from Old English to Present-day English varieties around the world, it shows how input frequency and domain-general cognitive principles affect the complex mental network of constructions that underlies speakers' linguistic behaviour. This pioneering and original study will be of interest to scholars and students of English syntax and English historical linguistics.

Schmerzfreiheit, R ckengesundheit und Lebensfreude sind in jedem Alter erreichbar. Ein R cken- bungsbuch der anderen Art: interessante Informationen, inspirierende bungen und viele praktische Tipps f r ein Leben ohne R ckenschmerz. Um rundum gesund und R cken-fit zu sein, braucht der K rper nicht nur Training und Bewegung, sondern auch Erholung, Pflege und Aufmerksamkeit f r Geist und Seele. Denn wir bestehen nicht nur aus Muskeln, Knochen und Organen. - Ein ganz pers nliches bungsbuch f r mehr R ckengesundheit. - 35 hilfreiche Lektionen und jede Menge inspirierende bungen. - Alle Methoden sind praxiserprobt und von Experten ausgew hlt. - Ein Buch zum reinschreiben und dar ber nachdenken. - Ein Buch, das die Sicht auf den R ckenschmerz ver ndern wird.

Cu ntas personas no se sienten bien aunque el m dico siga confirmando que todo est en orden Cu ntos est n enfermos aunque la ciencia m dica siga publicando xitos cada vez m s grandes y aunque cada vez m s m todos curativos alternativos sigan entrando en el mercado Inevitablemente se impone la impresi n de que algo fundamental falta o marcha mal.Este libro en un lenguaje facil a comprender y un estilo relajado desarrolla una noci n completamente nueva de salud y muestra al mismo tiempo c mo se puede alcanzar esta verdadera salud«. Mediante casos de ejemplo no solo transmite informaci n, sino sobre todo motivaci n y consejos concretos para que cada uno pueda redescubrir y redesarrollar el elemento b sico que falta.

What a lot of people do not feel well although their doctorsrepeatedly attest that everything is in order What a lot of people are ill although medical science is proclaiminggreater and greater successes and more and more alternative healingmethods are coming on to the market The impression we inevitably have is that something fundamentalis lacking or going wrong.In easy to understand language and a compelling style, this bookdevelops an entirely new understanding of health, at the same timeshowing how we can also achieve this "true health." It not only providesinformation with the help of case studies but above all motivates andgives concrete advice so that everyone can discover the missingfundamental elements for themselves and develop them.

Dieses Buch ermöglicht die systematische Vorbereitung auf die IHK-Prüfung im Fach "Immobiliengeschäft" im Studium für Bankfachwirte. Anhand von Fragen und Fällen trainieren die Kandidaten alle relevanten Fachkenntnisse. Übersichten, Merksätze und Zusammenfassung erleichtern das Lernen. Die Autoren der einzelnen Teile sind seit Jahren in Prüfungsausschüssen für Fachwirte tätig.Das Werk ergänzt die Titel von Olaf Fischer et al. zum Fachwirt-Prüfungstraining.