Type frequency, productivity and schematicity in the evolution of the Latin <i>secundum</i> NP construction

This paper adopts a constructional approach as a heuristic to explore the changes undergone by Latin secundum NP ‘according to NP’, considering both its frequency and its network organisation. My data demonstrate a significant syntactic and host-class expansion of secundum NP between the years BC 106 – AD 17 and a support to Barðdal’s (2008) model of productivity. The vocabulary growth curve for the construction also suggests that the productivity of secundum NP remains high in all the periods considered. Finally, the discussion highlights the role played by the social context in stimulating some of the changes observed, which is crucial in order to interpret the quantitative data.

• Affiliations: 1: University of Liverpool