The translation of Italian verb-particle constructions into French. The case of "Caos Calmo"

This contribution focuses on processes of language feature convergence which gradually lead to linguistic stabilization over time, whereby specific attention will be given to the process of Englishization in the South-Asian area. The chapter outlines some basic concepts pertaining language universals, contact, and change, as well as descriptive approaches to world varieties of English by referring to the feature classification proposed by Meshtrie and Bhatt. Then, as an explanatory case, it presents the results of a study of verb-particle constructions in a well-established variety of English (i.e., Indian English) obtained by sampling data from sources varying in time, genre, and register with a special focus on the methodological procedures and the analysis tools adopted to extract specific information from the data. Finally, the implications of those findings for future research on the process of language standardization in new varieties of English will be further explored.

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Explicit and implicit semantic processing of verb–particle constructions by French–English bilinguals

Bilingualism Language and Cognition ◽

10.1017/s1366728912000673 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 16 (4) ◽

pp. 829-846 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

MARY-JANE BLAIS ◽

LAURA M. GONNERMAN

Keyword(s):

Second Language ◽

Semantic Processing ◽

English Proficiency ◽

Masked Priming ◽

English Speakers ◽

Response Latencies ◽

Priming Task ◽

Similarity Ratings ◽

Verb Particle Constructions ◽

Particle Verb

Verb–particle constructions are a notoriously difficult aspect of English to acquire for second-language (L2) learners. The present study investigated whether L2 English speakers are sensitive to gradations in semantic transparency of verb–particle constructions (e.g.,finish upvs.chew out). French–English bilingual participants (first language: French, second language: English) completed an off-line similarity ratings survey, as well as an on-line masked priming task. Results of the survey showed that bilinguals’ similarity ratings became more native-like as their English proficiency levels increased. Results from the masked priming task showed that response latencies from high, but not low-proficiency bilinguals were similar to those of monolinguals, with mid- and high-similarity verb–particle/verb pairs (e.g.,finish up/finish) producing greater priming than low-similarity pairs (e.g.,chew out/chew). Taken together, the results suggest that L2 English speakers develop both explicit and implicit understanding of the semantic properties of verb–particle constructions, which approximates the sensitivity of native speakers as English proficiency increases.

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Comprehension of idiomatic verb + particle constructions in 6- to 11-year-old children

First Language ◽

10.1177/0142723707078317 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 27 (3) ◽

pp. 203-226 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Alison Crutchley

Keyword(s):

Verb Particle Constructions

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Three forms of English verb particle constructions

Lingua ◽

10.1016/j.lingua.2012.09.013 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 135 ◽

pp. 155-170 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Jeffrey Punske

Keyword(s):

Verb Particle Constructions ◽

English Verb

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Prepositions in Krio

Nordlyd ◽

10.7557/12.83 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 33 (2) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Marleen Van de Vate

Keyword(s):

Sierra Leone ◽

General Introduction ◽

Verb Particle Constructions ◽

The University

This paper is part of Peter Svenonius’ Adposition Seminar at the University of Tromsø which was taught in 2005-2006. The main focus was the distinction between locative path and locative place constructions. The aim of this paper is descriptive in nature and focuses on the complete prepositional system of Krio, an English-based Creole language spoken in Sierra Leone. The paper starts with a general introduction to prepositions in Krio. Three different categories are distinguished. This is followed by a description of each preposition individually and a discussion of intransitive prepositions and verb-particle constructions.

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