Erfahrung zählt. Frequenzeff ekte in der Sprache–ein Werkstattbericht

Frequency is defined in terms of number of occurrences of a given linguistic structure in a particular linguistic system or sub-system (as approximated by a suitable corpus). Frequency is assumed to be a possible determinant in usage-based models of language change, language acquisition and language processing. While the default assumption is that there is a non-trivial relation between frequency of occurrence thus defined and mental and structural representation, the frequency factor is being investigated with a view both to its explanatory potential and to its challenges in future research. The present paper is based on on-going research within the DFG funded research training group (GRK 1624) that carries out empirically rich and methodologically co-ordinated research on frequency effects in language, with an empirical focus on standard and non-standard varieties of European languages. In its integration of descriptive-linguistic and cognitivist approaches and its broad empirical corpus base, the on-going research opens up a new, constructively critical approach to usage-based modelling in linguistics. The two-pronged approach – extending the breadth of empirical coverage, while at the same time increasing the sophistication of the theoretical models – is a timely one.