Abstract
This paper explores the relationship between refunctionalization and usage frequency. In particular, it argues that (a) refunctionalization is more likely for low-frequency construction than high-frequency constructions, and that (b) high-frequency patterns are more likely candidates as models for refunctionalization processes than low-frequency patterns. It proposes that folk etymology processes be characterized as a type of refunctionalization process because in folk etymology, obsolescent and semantically void morphemes are replaced with morphemes that actually serve a function in language. This assumption allows for an empirical investigation of refunctionalization using an exploratory questionnaire study. The results indicate that usage frequency indeed plays a role in folk etymology processes, and consequently, refunctionalization. In particular, participants were more likely to accept false etymologies when the proposed etymon had a high usage frequency than when it had a low usage frequency. In summary, the present study proposes a way to study refunctionalization processes in synchrony.
Highlights
Given that “refunctionalization”, the process by which a linguistic construction obtains a discourse-pragmatic function other than its original function, is a concept from historical linguistics, studies of refunctionalization normally adopt a diachronic perspective
I propose that folk etymology processes can be characterized as a type of refunctionalization process because in folk etymology, obsolescent and semantically void morphemes are replaced with morphemes that serve a function in language
The results described in the last section confirm Hypothesis 2 in that participants were more likely to accept the false etymology when the proposed etymon was of high usage frequency than likely to accept the false etymology when the proposed etymon was of high usage frequency than when it was of low frequency
Summary
Given that “refunctionalization”, the process by which a linguistic construction obtains a discourse-pragmatic function other than its original function, is a concept from historical linguistics, studies of refunctionalization normally adopt a diachronic perspective Such diachronic studies usually identify the original discourse-pragmatic function of the construction, compare this original function to the function of the construction in later stages of the language in question, and hypothesize as to the reasons for this specific refunctionalization process. I propose that folk etymology processes can be characterized as a type of refunctionalization process because in folk etymology, obsolescent and semantically void morphemes are replaced with morphemes that serve a function in language. This assumption allows for an empirical investigation of the motivation of refunctionalization processes using an exploratory questionnaire study. It allowed analyzing the participants’ decision to accept or reject the folk etymology dependent of the usage
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