Swarming with bees : property predication and the swarm alternation

Abstract

This thesis examines the swarm alternation. The previous literature and analyses are reviewed and critically evaluated. A data investigation is also discussed with the conclusions from the data examination informing the theoretical analysis. The verb class­based approach is contrasted with Construction Grammar in order to better understand the meaning of the swarm alternation.

The alternation is presented as separate constructions, one a Locative construction and the other as an extension of an adjectival Property predication construction, the Complex-Property Predication construction. The central source domain for the constructional meaning is identified and the relationship of the metaphorical and peripheral swarm alternation data to this source domain is analysed. The property predication analysis of Dowty is reviewed with reference to his 'dynamic texture' property and its role in the constructional account of the swarm alternation is investigated.

The thesis presents the swarm alternation not as a verbal alternation but as a primarily adjectival construction with metaphorically related verbal instances. The Locative variant is not considered to be derivationally related but is a separate construction. This account is proposed to account for the distributional requirements of the data and also for the characteristic swarm alternation meaning.