The Distribution and Acquisition of to be Like in Britain: The Influence of Mass Media and Grammaticalization.
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2015-06-15
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en
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Abstract
The present paper considers the connection of be like to mass media, grammaticalization, and other grammatical niches of the lexical item like. This paper clarifies the following research question: what does the abnormal distribution- and acquisition patterns of be like reveal about the rapid language change phenomenon and its connection with mass media and grammaticalization? Be like has spread unusually rapidly and widely; it does not follow the usual pattern of prestige driven language change. The paper argues that be like’s rapid introduction as a convention consists of two parts: the quotative’s distribution and its acquisition. The rapid distribution of the innovative quotative is the result of the influence of mass media on the salience of be like in combination with a process of grammaticalization. Be like’s acquisition is the result of its diversity in representing quoted dialogue and of the influence! of the l exeme like’s pre-existing grammatical niches.
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Faculteit der Letteren