Grammaticalization of be-derivative Prepositions in English

This paper describes semantic changes of some of English prepositions that were historically evolved from be-derivation. Based on semantic designations provided in Oxford English Dictionary (2nd ed.; 1991), this paper shows intra- and inter-categorial status of these prepositions and evolution of particular meanings. Five major mechanisms are invoked here to explain such semantic changes, i.e, metaphor, metonymy, generalization, subjectification, and frame-of-focus variation. Metaphorical transfer extends formerly concrete meanings that made reference to physical space onto more abstract meanings such as temporal reference. Metonymic transfer extends the meanings based on conceptual contiguity of various kinds. Generalization changes relatively specific meanings or meanings largely restricted to a particular domain into those that could be used in larger contexts. Subjectification changes meanings formerly associated with description of the external world into those associated with personal emotion and evaluation by way of anthropocentricity and egocentricity. Finally, variation of the frame of focus on the source image schema gives rise to various meanings that may look irrelevant or are in apparent antonymy. This investigation shows that semantic change is a complex process in which multifarious factors and mechanisms interplay.