Constructional Integration, Grammaticization, and Serial Verb Constructions

Abstract

An important but under-appreciated aspect of grammar is the extent of the integration a grammatical construction specifies among its constitutive elements. Besides its vital role in synchronic grammar, this essential aspect of constructional meaning is a pivotal factor in grammaticization. These points will be illustrated through a variety of construction types drawn from a number of diverse languages, with special emphasis on serial verb constructions.