Proximity in Space and Mind: Grammaticalization and Semantic Change of by

This paper analyses the semantic change of preposition by in the history of the English language from the grammaticalization perspective. Among the semantic change mechanisms that are widely subscribed to by grammaticalization scholars are metaphor and metonymy, with the former being more prominent than the latter. This paper shows, however, drawing upon historical data and panchronic methodology, two major facts with reference to grammaticalization mechanisms of by: (i) that metaphorization may operate without significant temporal depth in emergence of grammatical notions; and (ii) that behind apparent metaphorization are numerous metonymic processes, thus lending support to the idea of post hoc metaphor. Among the implications that bear significance is that metaphor may not be the driving force of grammaticalization, but rather metonymy is. Metonymy operates in meaning negotiation of the interlocutors in all speech situations, and thus metonymy is a ubiquitous phenomenon in language use.