Frequency and Fusion in Language Processing

Abstract

This study initiates a unified account of fusion in language production and comprehension. Specifically, it reports findings from two distinct aspects: (a) fusion in natural language production and its impact on current language change, and (b) the unitization effect in the processing of written discourse. Although aspect (a) involves language production in natural discourse and aspect (b) involves language processing in written discourse, research has shown that the two aspects share similarities under the theory of fusion. This paper accounts for the similarities within Andersons (1993) theory of automaticity and human procedural knowledge. Procedural knowledge can be observed as an efficient production of a task through compiled practice. According to Anderson (1993), there are two types of long-term memory in the human information processing system: declarative and procedural knowledge. Declarative knowledge is factual knowledge that can be reported, whereas procedural knowledge is developed only after repeated practice of factual knowledge. Procedural knowledge can be reflected by automaticity in performance. As discussed later, fusion in language production concerns sound change in oral discourse. The unitization effect concerns visual perception of word shapes during reading. Both processes are developmental products attained through repeated language use or practice; therefore both are closely related to word frequency. Further, both can be explained with automaticity as procedural knowledge during an individuals language development.