The Cognitive Foundation of Post-colonial Englishes
Construction Grammar as the Cognitive Theory for the Dynamic Model

This Element shows how modern cognitive linguistics can explain the evolution of New Englishes spoken all over the world.

Thomas Hoffmann (Author)

9781108829236, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 9 December 2021

68 pages
22.8 x 15.1 x 0.5 cm, 0.12 kg

'Hoffmann's contribution is a convincing one, which shows the value of infusing Schneider's Dynamic Model with insights from Construction Grammar, to elaborate the linguistic, cognitive side of the model that is otherwise stronger on the social side. The manner in which the grammatical phenomena in the different phases are interpreted is particularly insightful …' Bertus van Rooy, English Language & Linguistics

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.

1. Introduction
2. The Dynamic Model and Construction Grammar
3. Data and Methodology
4. Sample Studies
6. Conclusion.

Subject Areas: Sociolinguistics [CFB], Language: history & general works [CBX]