Usage-Based Contact Linguistics: Effects of Frequency and Similarity in Language Contact

Abstract The influence of usage frequency, and particularly linguistic similarity on human behavior change in situations language contact are well documented linguistics literature. However, a theoretical framework capable unifying the various explanations, which usually couched either structuralist, sociolinguistic, or psycholinguistic parlance, is still lacking. In this introductory article we argue that usage-based approach to organization suits purpose study phenomena will benefit from adoption perspective. sketches an outline linguistics, proposes ways analyze framework, summarizes major findings individual contributions special issue, not only demonstrate usefully studied perspective, but document taking reveals new aspects old phenomena.