Functional and usage-based approaches to aphasia: the grammatical-lexical distinction and the role of frequency

Background Functional and usage-based theories of language are gaining increasing influence in linguistics. These theories understand language structure as underpinned by domain-general neurocognitive capacities and as shaped by usage patterns and the function of language as a means for communication. Accordingly, they entail an approach to aphasia which differs markedly from established ones based on formal theories.Aims Based on an outline of...