Language Change and Cognitive Linguistics
Case Studies from the History of Russian

This Element shows how Cognitive Grammar sharpens our understanding of language change through seven case studies from Russian.

Tore Nesset (Author)

9781009013536, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 1 December 2022

75 pages
22.8 x 15.2 x 0.5 cm, 0.15 kg

The purpose of this Cambridge Element is to bring together three subfields of the language sciences: cognitive, historical (diachronic), and Russian linguistics. Although diachrony has inspired a number of important works in recent years, historical linguistics is still underrepresented in cognitive linguistics, and the most influential publications mainly concern the history of English. This is an unfortunate bias, especially since its lack of morphological complexity makes English a typologically unusual language. In this Cambridge Element, the author demonstrates that Russian has a lot to offer the historically oriented cognitive linguist, given its well-documented history and complex phonology and morpho-syntax. Through seven case studies the author illustrates the relevance of four basic tenets of Cognitive Grammar: the cognitive, semiotic, network, and usage-based commitments.

1. Introduction
2. The cognitive commitment
3. The semiotic commitment – the form/meaning bipolar representation
4. The network commitment – language as a 'constructicon'
5. The usage-based commitment
6. Conclusion: language change in cognitive grammar.

Subject Areas: Cognition & cognitive psychology [JMR], Grammar, syntax & morphology [CFK], Historical & comparative linguistics [CFF], Linguistics [CF]