This volume assembles the papers presented at a German-Finnish colloquium on the relations between grammar and lexicon held at the University of Leipzig, March 5-7, 1997. The contributions take a closer look at some phenomena of German that either cannot be unequivocally assigned to grammar or lexicon, or else 'gravitate' between the two areas. Major topics dealt with are grammaticalization processes, lexicalization processes, problems of idiomaticity and idiomatization/de-motivation, and the role and relationship of grammar and lexicon in the understanding of literary texts.

In a series of individual essays, this volume presents the important contributors and major trends in the field of German linguistics and literary studies at the University of Leipzig from the beginning of the 19th century to the middle of the 20th century. The volume, which addresses the broader context of the discipline s evolution during this period, is intended as a contribution to the history of German studies in Leipzig and, given the importance of the individual scholars discussed, to the history of German studies as a whole."