Linguistics

This book approaches the field of contrastive linguistics from a comparative and robust perspective that combines the tenets of construction grammar and cognitive linguistics. In doing so, it shows how their integration can help to successfully enhance research on contrastivity, by means of updated theoretical frameworks and applied methodologies that combine language and thought. It compares ten different languages and offers analyses of constructions at all levels of the linguistic organization, identifying the cognitive motivations that instantiate the linguistic data retrieved from corpora. Relevant to both cognitive and non-cognitive linguists interested in variation and contrastive approaches, as well as graduate students in these areas, this book makes a significant contribution to existing work on the various types of constructional and discourse-based phenomena in modern languages.

Learn about Semantics in Linguistics

“The author’s call to action- that it is incumbent on linguists to work towards societal change- is one we should heed. Hercula encourages linguists to refocus the introductory linguistics course to not only educate about how language works and how linguists study it, but to work more deeply to change attitudes towards stigmatized language varieties by in-depth investigation of those varieties, ensuring that everyone goes away with enduring understanding and a desire to change the world.” –Kristin Denham, Western Washington University, USA