Using extensive corpus data, this paper investigates whether low-frequency complex prepositions (e.g. by dint of, in conformity with) can be interpreted as units of language structure even though they cannot have undergone the processes typical of more frequent grammaticalizing constructions. I critically evaluate previous treatments of frequency and discuss alternative modes of interpreting corpus data, e.g. by drawing a distinction between conceptual and absolute frequency as reflections of the cognitive representation of linguistic items. I also suggest that formal properties of grammaticalizing constructions may play an important role and that “grammaticalization by analogy” may account for the establishment of low-frequency units of language. Finally, the paper offers a detailed discussion of the methodological issues involved in using corpus data to study low-frequency phenomena.
2023. David Correia Saavedra:Measurements of grammaticalization: Developing a quantitative index for the study of grammatical change. Folia Linguistica 57:3 ► pp. 763 ff.
Marttinen Larsson, Matti
2023. Modelling incipient probabilistic grammar change in real time: the grammaticalisation of possessive pronouns in European Spanish locative adverbial constructions. Corpus Linguistics and Linguistic Theory 19:2 ► pp. 177 ff.
2019. The Study of Complex Prepositions in the Writings of EFL Learners under the View of Grammaticalization—Take PNP Construction as an Example. Modern Linguistics 07:03 ► pp. 283 ff.
2017. Why are grammatical elements more evenly dispersed than lexical elements? Assessing the roles of text frequency and semantic generality. Corpora 12:3 ► pp. 369 ff.
2015. Perception, cognition, and linguistic structure: The effect of linguistic modularity and cognitive style on sociolinguistic processing. Language Variation and Change 27:3 ► pp. 319 ff.
2020. Lifespan change in grammaticalisation as frequency-sensitive automation: William Faulkner and thelet aloneconstruction. Cognitive Linguistics 31:2 ► pp. 339 ff.
2013. Hápax y otras construcciones prepositivas de frecuencia escasa en la "Primera partida". Revista de Historia de la Lengua Española :8 ► pp. 63 ff.
Forchini, Pierfranca
2013. A diachronic study of familiarizers (‘man’, ‘guys’, ‘buddy’, ‘dude’) in movie language. Perspectives 21:4 ► pp. 504 ff.
BERLAGE, EVA
2012. At the interface of grammaticalisation and lexicalisation: the case of take prisoner. English Language and Linguistics 16:1 ► pp. 35 ff.
Legallois, Dominique & Jacques François
2011. La Linguistique fondée sur l'usage : parcours critique. Travaux de linguistique n°62:1 ► pp. 7 ff.
Loiseau, Sylvain
2011. Les faits statistiques comme objectivation ou comme interprétation : statistiques et modèles basés sur l'usage. Travaux de linguistique n°62:1 ► pp. 59 ff.
Loiseau, Sylvain
2015. Les différentes formes de la fréquence textuelle : proposition d’inventaire. Langages N° 197:1 ► pp. 5 ff.
BREBAN, TINE
2009. Structural persistence: a case based on the grammaticalization of English adjectives of difference. English Language and Linguistics 13:1 ► pp. 77 ff.
Mourón‐Figueroa, Cristina
2008. A Semantic Analysis ofby‐Phrases in the York Cycle1. Studia Neophilologica 80:1 ► pp. 1 ff.
Brems, Lieselotte
2007. The Grammaticalization of Small Size Nouns. Journal of English Linguistics 35:4 ► pp. 293 ff.
[no author supplied]
2013. Lessons Learned from Research on Quotation. In Quotatives, ► pp. 245 ff.
This list is based on CrossRef data as of 26 july 2024. Please note that it may not be complete. Sources presented here have been supplied by the respective publishers.
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