Pattern versus process concepts of grammar and mind

This chapter focuses on one element dividing cognitive linguistics and more traditional functional linguistic approaches to grammar, viz. the contrast between the construction oriented approach predominating in the former and the rule or process oriented approach prevailing in the latter. It offers a ‘conceptual analysis’ of the issue, arguing (i) that a process concept of grammar is not misguided (pace suggestions to the contrary by some cognitive linguists) but needs to integrate certain insights from the constructional approach, and (ii) that in some version the two model types are largely compatible, reflecting different perspectives on the same phenomena.

• Affiliations: 1: University of Antwerp