The status of frequency, schemas, and identity in Cognitive Sociolinguistics: A case study on definite article reduction

Hollmann, Willem and Siewierska, Anna (2011) The status of frequency, schemas, and identity in Cognitive Sociolinguistics: A case study on definite article reduction. Cognitive Linguistics, 22 (1). pp. 25-54. ISSN 0936-5907

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Abstract

This article contributes to the nascent field of Cognitive Sociolinguistics. In particular, we are interested in how usage-based cognitive linguistics and variationist sociolinguistics may enrich each other. We first discuss some of the ways in which variationist insights have led cognitive linguists such as Gries (e.g. 2003) and Grondelaers et al. (e.g. 2008) to pay attention to language-external factors (such as medium, region, and register), thereby greatly enhancing the description and understanding of certain grammatical phenomena. The focus then shifts to cognitive linguistic work (by Hollmann and Siewierska 2007 and Clark and Trousdale 2009) which has implications for sociolinguistic theory. The two usage-based concepts that have proved especially relevant in this connection are frequency effects and schemas. The article explores and illustrates the role of these two factors in relation to linguistic variation by means of a new case study on definite article reduction (DAR) in Lancashire dialect, a variety spoken in the North West of England. A twofold conclusion is drawn: first, a symbiotic relation between cognitive and sociolinguistics seems possible, but second, in order for this relation to be truly mutually beneficial variationists should get involved in the Cognitive Sociolinguistic enterprise much more than is currently the case.

Item Type:
Journal Article
Journal or Publication Title:
Cognitive Linguistics
Uncontrolled Keywords:
/dk/atira/pure/researchoutput/libraryofcongress/p1
Subjects:
?? COGNITIVE SOCIOLINGUISTICS DEFINITE ARTICLE REDUCTION FREQUENCY EFFECTS LANCASHIRE DIALECTSCHEMAS ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND LINGUISTICSLINGUISTICS AND LANGUAGEDEVELOPMENTAL AND EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGYP PHILOLOGY. LINGUISTICS ??
ID Code:
54850
Deposited By:
Deposited On:
31 May 2012 12:38
Refereed?:
Yes
Published?:
Published
Last Modified:
20 Sep 2023 00:21