Entre phraséologie et conditionnement contextuel : le cas des constructions pseudo-coordonnées en russe et en grec moderne

Abstract

In this paper we aim at analyzing the conditions of phraseologization of Russian and Modern Greek [V1 RELATOR V2] pseudo-coordinated constructions in which two coordinated verbs express a single process, the first verb being deprived of its literal meaning in order to modify the interpretation of the second one. After a short introduction, the first part of the paper analyzes the context-induced uses of such constructions, which always require a retrospective discourse orientation. We adopt the notion of force dynamics for distinguishing two different degrees of verbal coalescence: integrated and tight coalescence. If the former type of coalescence is more relevant for grammaticalization, the latter pertains the process of phraseologization. The second part of the paper examines the role played by the semantics of the first verb in the interpretation of the syntagm on the basis of two comparable verbs: ‘sit’, ‘sit down’ (R: sidet’, sest’/sadit’sja; GM: kaθome) and ‘take’ (R: vzjat’/brat’), ‘seize/grab’ (GM: piano).