Functionalism and Construction Grammar Approach

ABSTRACT

This paper presents, discusses and exemplifies the direction of the functionalist research in its most recent orientation, in its dialogue with cognitive studies. As a result of this interrelation, we highlight the constructional approach to grammar, emphasizing the function x form pairing, which marks the linguistic expressions. Besides pointing out the theoretical and methodological gains that such dialogue has brought to Functionalism, this article also refers to the specificities of both theoretical approaches and to necessary adjustments to enable researches in this interface. The treatment of grammar in a holistic perspective and the strictness in detecting properties of meaning and structures, which mark linguistic usages, are considered positive and promising biases of functionalist research in a constructional approach.

Functionalism; Constructionalization; Constructional change; Cognitivism