10.2 Multiple levels of generalization

There being multi-word patterns that cross phrasal boundaries and contradict traditional grammar rules does not mean that the old models were wrong. English still has a hierarchical phrase structure and an SVO word order. What we can see, however, is that categories are formed on different levels of abstractions. Syntactic patterns, such as word order, tense and sub-ordination are much broader generalizations. Those structures reliably show up in creative language use. Collocations and most other lexical patterns are more idiomatic, bound to certain lexemes.

10.2.1 Competing motivations

There are several explanations of why we would have competing systems. One such explanation is that there are actually competing motivations shaping language.

Automation:

On the one hand, communication systems are under pressure to be more time and energy efficient. We see trends in language that make frequent utterances shorter and more specific.

Idiomatic language is more time and energy efficient in highly specific recurring situations

• Utterances are more easily processed when they are strongly associated to specific communicative situations
• Specific lexical structures avoid ambiguities
• Fine-grained conventions allow for stronger group identity

Simplification is more efficient in constantly changing, unpredictable contexts

• Broad generalizations allow for creative language use
• Humans need to categorize the complexity of stimuli
• Unspecific linguistic items are easier to use across speech communities