A Reanalysis of Double Object Constructions and Dative Constructions in English: A Construction Grammar Approach

The purpose of this paper is to argue that there are prototype effects in each construction. Linguistic constraints and principles are obeyed in extensions of each construction and these in turn will affect the prototypical meanings of the constructions. I have revised and adapted some of their models to offer my own interpretation of how we use and understand prototypical and peripheral constructions. It has also been argued that the central sense of DOC is associated with a highly specific semantic structure: successful transfer between a volitional agent and a willing recipient. DOC and DC may have several systematic metaphors that license extensions from their basic senses. In DOC, the underlying meaning is 'change of possession,' whereas in DC, it is 'change of location.' Either one of these structures may fit the particular semantic requirements of a given verb, but one structure will be strongly preferred. There is also a particular format of lexical representation that allows reference to events, as semantic properties cannot be stated properly except by reference to events. In addition to setting up particular semantic conditions, DOC and DC also allow for different information structures. Information structure appears to be one of the decisive factors governing the behavior of verbs, such as give, that essentially have the same meaning in DC and in DOC. We have seen cases in which information structure appears to override semantic restrictions. It has also been argued that although the meanings of different constructions are motivated by the meanings of their parts, the meaning of a construction as a whole cannot be directly imputed from the meanings of its component parts. Grammar provides the constructions and lexicon provides the meaningful elements plugged into these constructions. Finally, I analyzed dative alternation with respect to its polysemy and its partial productivity. This study concentrated on particular semantic constraints, the prototype effect, and metaphorical extensions of the construction based on the degree of match between the features of constructions and those of verbs.