Word frequency and context of use in the lexical diffusion of phonetically conditioned sound change

2002 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 261-290 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joan Bybee
Keyword(s):  
Word Frequency ◽  
American English ◽  
Sound Change ◽  
Rate Of Change ◽  
Exemplar Model ◽  
Frequency Effects ◽  
Lexical Variation ◽  
Phonetic Detail ◽  
Lexical Diffusion ◽  
Context Of Use

The literature on frequency effects in lexical diffusion shows that even phonetically gradual changes that in some cases are destined to be lexically regular show lexical diffusion while they are in progress. Change that is both phonetically and lexically gradual presents a serious challenge to theories with phonemic underlying forms. An alternate exemplar model that can account for lexical variation in phonetic detail is outlined here. This model predicts that the frequency with which words are used in the contexts for change will affect how readily the word undergoes a change in progress. This prediction is tested on data from /t, d/ deletion in American English. Finally, the effect of bound morphemes on the diffusion of a sound change is examined. The data suggest that instances of a bound morpheme can affect the rate of change for that morpheme overall.

Lexical constraints in phonological acquisition

1999 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 261-294 ◽  
Author(s):  
JUDITH A. GIERUT ◽  
MICHELE L. MORRISETTE ◽  
ANNETTE HUST CHAMPION
Keyword(s):  
Word Frequency ◽  
Language Processing ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Dependent Measure ◽  
Sound Change ◽  
Phonological Acquisition ◽  
Lexical Diffusion ◽  
Phonological Change ◽  
Lexical Constraints ◽  
Neighbourhood Structure

Lexical diffusion, as characterized by interword variation in production, was examined in phonological acquisition. The lexical variables of word frequency and neighbourhood density were hypothesized to facilitate sound change to varying degrees. Twelve children with functional phonological delays, aged 3;0 to 7;4, participated in an alternating treatments experiment to promote sound change. Independent variables were crossed to yield all logically possible combinations of high/low frequency and high/low density in treatment; the dependent measure was generalization accuracy in production. Results indicated word frequency was most facilitative in sound change, whereas, dense neighbourhood structure was least facilitative. The salience of frequency and avoidance of high density are discussed relative to the type of phonological change being induced in children's grammars, either phonetic or phonemic, and to the nature of children's representations. Results are further interpreted with reference to interactive models of language processing and optimality theoretic accounts of linguistic structure.

scholarly journals Tracking word frequency effects through 130years of sound change

Cognition ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 139 ◽  
pp. 83-91 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer B. Hay ◽  
Janet B. Pierrehumbert ◽  
Abby J. Walker ◽  
Patrick LaShell
Keyword(s):  
Word Frequency ◽  
Sound Change ◽  
Frequency Effects

Experience Matters

2020 ◽  
Vol 228 (4) ◽  
pp. 254-263 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pedro S. Mendes ◽  
Karlos Luna ◽  
Pedro B. Albuquerque
Keyword(s):  
Word Frequency ◽  
High Frequency ◽  
Recall Test ◽  
Judgments Of Learning ◽  
Direct Experience ◽  
Frequency Effects ◽  
Actual Frequency ◽  
Actual Word ◽  
High Frequency Words

Abstract. The present study tested if word frequency effects on judgments of learning (JOLs) are exclusively due to beliefs or if the direct experience with the items also plays a role. Across four experiments, participants read prompts about the frequency of the words (high/low), which could be congruent/incongruent with the words’ actual frequency. They made pre-study JOLs (except Experiment 1b), immediate JOLs, and completed a recall test. If experience drives the effect, JOLs should be based on actual word frequency rather than the prompts. Results showed higher pre-study JOLs for prompts of high frequency, but higher immediate JOLs for high-frequency words regardless of the prompt, suggesting an effect of direct experience with the words. In Experiments 2 and 3, we manipulated participants’ beliefs, finding a small effect of beliefs on JOLs. We conclude that, regarding word frequency, direct experience with the items seems more relevant than beliefs when making immediate JOLs.

Word frequency effects and masked repetition priming: An ERP study

2009 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marianna D. Eddy ◽  
Jonathan Grainger ◽  
Danielle Lopez ◽  
Phillip J. Holcomb
Keyword(s):  
Word Frequency ◽  
Repetition Priming ◽  
Frequency Effects ◽  
Masked Repetition
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