MORPHOLOGICAL CHANGE AND HIGH FREQUENCY FORMS: A LINGUISTIC EVOLUTION
Keywords:
morphological change, high frequency forms, linguistic evolution, analogical change, regularization processes, language dynamics, cognitive linguistics, grammatical homogenization, evolution of language, linguistic structures, language change mechanisms, cognitive ease in language, linguistic adaptation, form-frequency correspondence, analogical modeling, linguistic regularization, morphological adaptation, linguistic homogeneity, structural evolution in language, language variation and change, frequency effects in linguistics, linguistic pattern stabilization.Abstract
This article explores the intricate relationship between morphological change and the role of high frequency forms within languages. It delves into how commonly used words, due to their prevalence in everyday communication, exhibit a unique resistance to morphological evolution while simultaneously dictating the trajectory of linguistic change when they do evolve. Through examining the mechanisms of morphological change—highlighting analogical change as a primary driver—this paper reveals how high frequency forms act as analogical bases, influencing the regularization of irregular forms and the establishment of new morphological rules. By presenting evidence from a variety of languages and linguistic contexts, the article underscores the significant impact of high frequency forms on the pace and direction of morphological change. This exploration not only sheds light on the dynamic processes that drive the evolution of language but also emphasizes the critical role of usage frequency in shaping linguistic structure.
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