Overview

Over the last three decades, usage-based (UB) approaches have developed into a leading paradigm in research on language, language use, and (first and second) language acquisition. This volume shows how current UB approaches—embracing diverse perspectives, disciplines, and methodologies—place authentic language use in interaction at center stage. The contributions explore a broad range of related questions: How can linguistic representations be described? How does constructional knowledge, including vocabulary, evolve in different languages and contexts? How do children develop discourse-level processing skills? Which input affordances, including scaffolding and frequency distributions, shape language acquisition? How can we explain individual learning trajectories, including for children with developmental language disorders? The chapters are framed by a preface outlining the origins of UB approaches and a postface addressing current and future directions and challenges. This is a volume in honour of Heike Behrens and her crucial contributions to theoretical and empirical UB research. It will be an interesting read for students, researchers, and practitioners interested in language, language use, language development, and multilingualism.

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