Metalanguage as a Tool for Constructing Linguistic Reality: A Discursive Analysis of Contemporary Grammatical Definitions
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.18662/po/16.1/617Keywords:
metalanguage, grammatical definitions, linguistic categorization, discourse analysis, epistemology, grammaticalizationAbstract
This article examines the role of metalanguage in constructing grammatical reality, focusing on the discursive mechanisms through which contemporary grammars define key categories such as the verb, the subject, the clause, and the determiner. Through a comparative analysis of representative French and Anglo-Saxon grammatical works, the study highlights how definitions are shaped by epistemic orientations, theoretical priorities, and discursive strategies that stabilize and legitimize linguistic concepts. The findings reveal that definitions are not neutral descriptions of linguistic facts but interpretative acts that involve abstraction, reduction, and conceptual articulation. These processes contribute to the creation of coherent explanatory models and to the consolidation of disciplinary authority. By integrating recent theoretical insights into categorization, grammaticalization, and language ideology, the study demonstrates that metalanguage functions as a central instrument in establishing the conceptual architecture of grammar. The results suggest that understanding definitional discourse is essential for comprehending how linguistic theories evolve and how categories become institutionalized within scientific communities. The article opens new perspectives for interdisciplinary research on the epistemology of grammar and the discursive construction of linguistic knowledge.
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