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Grammar and Cognition: Dualistic models of language structure and language processing
Edited by Alexander Haselow and Gunther Kaltenböck
[Human Cognitive Processing 70] 2020
► pp. 233–265

Chapter 7
Formulaic language and Discourse Grammar

Evidence from speech disorder

| University of Graz

This chapter proposes a dualistic classification of formulaic sequences based on the assumptions of Discourse Grammar, which distinguishes two components of language organisation and processing, viz. Sentence grammar and Thetical grammar. Accordingly, we can distinguish between Sentence grammar formulaic sequences (SG-FS) and Thetical grammar formulaic sequences (TG-FS). This classification is in line with some of the main taxonomies of formulaic language in the literature and corresponds with hemispheric differences identified for brain function. The proposed classification is tested in an empirical study of speech data from speakers with either left-hemisphere disorder (Broca’s aphasia) or right-hemisphere disorder. The results show that the two types of speech disorder differ significantly with regard to the frequencies of each formulaic type, thus providing evidence for the classification proposed.

Keywords: formulaic language, Discourse Grammar, thetical, brain lateralisation, aphasia, right hemisphere disorder
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
  • 2.Discourse Grammar and hemispheric differences
    • 2.1The concept of Discourse Grammar
    • 2.2Neurolinguistic correlations
  • 3.Formulaic language and brain lateralization
    • 3.1What are formulaic sequences?: Delimiting an elusive concept
    • 3.2Formulaic language: A right-hemisphere phenomenon?
    • 3.3Classifying formulaic sequences
      • 3.3.1 Hudson‘s (1998) fixed expressions
      • 3.3.2 Erman and Warren‘s (2000) prefabs
      • 3.3.3 Cowie’s (1988) formulae and composites
      • 3.3.4 Wray‘s (2002) heteromorphic distributed lexicon
    • 3.4Interim conclusion
  • 4.Formulaic sequences in aphasia and right hemisphere disorder
    • 4.1Outline of the study: Aim and database
    • 4.2Data analysis
      • 4.2.1Identifying formulaic sequences
      • 4.2.2Classification as SG-FS or TG-FS
    • 4.3Results
    • 4.4Discussion
  • 5.Conclusion
  • Notes
  • References
Published online: 12 November 2020
DOI logo
https://doi.org/10.1075/hcp.70.07kal
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