Konstruktionen und Paradigmen

Abstract

The notion of constructions-as the basic semiotic units of language varying in complexity, size and degree of abstraction-has proved to be useful in diachronic research in general and in grammaticalization studies in particular. Grammaticalization scenarios have been modelled as a unidirectional succession of specific types of constructions, thus providing a means for depicting the interdependence of pragmatic and contextual feature on the one hand and language internal features on the other. However, the endpoint of grammaticalization processes, i.e. the integration of formerly autonomous signs into tightly organized paradigmatic structures (grammatical paradigms), so far has not been in the scope of constructional approaches. It is argued that existing models of grammaticalization scenarios should be expanded by a fourth stage, the stage of paradigmatic integration. It is suggested that a grammatical paradigm represents a particular type of construction. Thus, the stage of paradigmatic integration represents the formation of a fourth type of construction.