Guest lecture Impact and interaction of social situation, cognitive training, and personality type on constructional change (Peter Petré, University of Antwerp)

RTG Dimensions of Constructional Space

Peter Petré (University of Antwerp): Impact and interaction of social situation, cognitive training, and personality type on constructional change

20.05.2026, 12:15-13:45, C601.

20.05.2026, 12:15-13:45, C601.

Abstract:

Social and cognitive dimensions are still often kept separate in historical linguistics, which prevents a more complete view of language change. This paper focuses on how they interact language users dealing with the multilayered and complex nature of a grammaticalizing construction. In recent years historical linguistics, and grammaticalization theory in particular, have embraced the concept of multisource constructions. To gain understanding in how language users deal with grammar change involving multiple sources, this paper zooms in on the [BE Ving] construction and the substantial development it undergoes in Early Modern English. It is in Early Modern English that the tensions inherent in the construction's blended nature are gradually resolved. I provide evidence that variation in use of this construction is co-determined by social and cognitive factors alike. Socially, citizens of London avoid relics of the nominal source significantly more often than language users outside of London. Cognitively a similar correlation is found with level of training in Latin grammar. Attention is also drawn to the impact of what may be called 'aptness' for traditional grammar training. While this factor remains a little elusive at this point, it does provide preliminary evidence for the role played by neurodiversity in language change. To my knowledge, neurodiversity has so far not been considered in historical linguistics. With the growing evidence and recent attention to differences in recurrent brain functioning I argue that a full understanding of language change will benefit from including this dimension more in future research.