Context Generalization as Mechanism of Grammaticalization (by the Material of the English and German Languages)

Abstract

The paper justifies the thesis that context generalization serves as a mechanism of grammaticalization in the Germanic languages of different structures. Scientific originality of the study involves a comparative analysis of the context generalization process in the English and German languages. The conducted research allows concluding that the English and German grammaticalized subordinating conjunctions are equally subjected to the process of context generalization and acquire new meanings, which justifies the key role of context in the process of grammaticalization in the two Germanic languages of different structures.