Constructions, Semantic Compatibility, and Coercion: An Empirical Usage-based Approach

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dc.contributor.advisorKemmer, Suzanne E.en_US
dc.contributor.committeeMemberAchard, Michelen_US
dc.contributor.committeeMemberOrlandi, Nicolettaen_US
dc.contributor.committeeMemberFranklin, Amyen_US
dc.creatorYoon, Soyeonen_US
dc.date.accessioned2013-07-24T19:51:53Zen_US
dc.date.accessioned2013-07-24T19:51:57Zen_US
dc.date.available2013-07-24T19:51:53Zen_US
dc.date.available2013-07-24T19:51:57Zen_US
dc.date.created2012-12en_US
dc.date.issued2013-07-24en_US
dc.date.submittedDecember 2012en_US
dc.date.updated2013-07-24T19:51:58Zen_US
dc.description.abstractThis study investigates the nature of semantic compatibility between constructions and lexical items that occur in them in relation with language use, and the related concept, coercion, based on a usage-based approach to language, in which linguistic knowledge (grammar) is grounded in language use. This study shows that semantic compatibility between linguistic elements is a gradient phenomenon, and that speakers’ knowledge about the degree of semantic compatibility is intimately correlated with language use. To show this, I investigate two constructions of English: the sentential complement construction and the ditransitive construction. I observe speakers’ knowledge of the semantic compatibility between the constructions and lexical items and compared it with empirical data obtained from linguistic corpora and experiments on sentence processing and acceptability judgments. My findings specifically show that the relative semantic compatibility of the lexical items and the construction is significantly correlated with the frequency of use of their co-occurrences and the processing effort and speakers’ acceptability judgments for the co-occurrences. The empirical data show that a lexical item and a construction which are less than fully compatible can be actually used together when the incompatibility is resolved. The resolution of the semantic incompatibility between the lexical item and its host construction has been called coercion. Coercion has been invoked as a theoretical concept without being examined in depth, particularly without regard to language use. By correlating degree of semantic compatibility with empirical data of language use, this study highlights that coercion is an actual psychological process which occurs during the composition of linguistic elements. Moreover, by examining in detail how the semantics of a lexical item and a construction interact in order to reconcile the incompatibility, this study reveals that coercion is semantic integration that involves not only dynamic interaction of linguistic components but also non-linguistic contexts. Investigating semantic compatibility and coercion in detail with empirical data tells about the processes by which speakers compose linguistic elements into larger units. It also supports the assumption of the usage-based model that grammar and usage are not independent, and ultimately sheds light on the dynamic aspect of our linguistic system.en_US
dc.format.mimetypeapplication/pdfen_US
dc.identifier.citationYoon, Soyeon. "Constructions, Semantic Compatibility, and Coercion: An Empirical Usage-based Approach." (2013) Diss., Rice University. <a href="https://hdl.handle.net/1911/71705">https://hdl.handle.net/1911/71705</a>.en_US
dc.identifier.slug123456789/ETD-2012-12-255en_US
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/1911/71705en_US
dc.language.isoengen_US
dc.rightsCopyright is held by the author, unless otherwise indicated. Permission to reuse, publish, or reproduce the work beyond the bounds of fair use or other exemptions to copyright law must be obtained from the copyright holder.en_US
dc.subjectSemantic compatibilityen_US
dc.subjectCoercionen_US
dc.subjectUsage-based modelen_US
dc.subjectConstructionsen_US
dc.subjectEmpirical dataen_US
dc.titleConstructions, Semantic Compatibility, and Coercion: An Empirical Usage-based Approachen_US
dc.typeThesisen_US
dc.type.materialTexten_US
thesis.degree.departmentLinguisticsen_US
thesis.degree.disciplineSocial Sciencesen_US
thesis.degree.grantorRice Universityen_US
thesis.degree.levelDoctoralen_US
thesis.degree.nameDoctor of Philosophyen_US
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