Grammatical metonymy
What is it about?
This article analyses the semantic features of two constructions characterized by the specific use of morphosyntactic indicators of the category of number. The constructions are based on unusual, unobvious ways of using singular and plural forms of NP. The singular (in the first construction) and plural (in the second) forms of NP give to the constructions a metonymic character. The constructions are described as two types of metonymy, representing two different ways of construal.
Why is it important?
The article presents constructions whose metonymic nature is reflected in the use of a specific grammatical form, i.e. in the use of morphological indicators of number. Therefore, the analysis is based on the assumption that metonymy may be manifested not only in lexical terms but it may also be expressed by the use of morpho-syntactic indicators.