A multivariate approach to English Clippings

This paper addresses the morphological word formation process that is known as clipping. In English, yields shortened forms such lab (< laboratory), exam examination), or gator alligator). It frequently argued (Davy 2000, Durkin 2009, Haspelmath & Sims 2010, Don 2014) clipping highly variable and it difficult to predict how a given source will be shortened. We draw on recent work (Lappe 2007, Jamet Berg 2011, Alber Arndt-Lappe 2012, 2018) in order challenge view. Our main hypothesis English follows predictable tendencies, these tendencies can captured by probabilistic, multifactorial model, features of model explained functionally terms cognitive, discourse-pragmatic, phonological factors. Cognitive factors include principle least effort (Zipf 1949), an important discourse-pragmatic factor recoverability (Tournier 1985), issues stress syllable structure 2007). While individual influence has been recognized, their interaction relative importance remains fully understood. The empirical analysis this use Hierarchical Configural Frequency Analysis (Krauth Lienert 1973, Gries 2008) basis large, newly compiled database more than 2000 clippings. allows us detect regularities way speakers create argue there are several schemas optimized for processability.