Stochastic

Stochastic, from the Greek "stochos" or "goal", means of, relating to, or characterized by conjecture; conjectural; random.

Language and linguistics

In usage-based linguistic theories, where it is argued that competence, or langue, is based on performance, or parole, in the sense that linguistic knowledge is based on frequency of experience, grammar is often said to be probabilistic and variable rather than fixed and absolute. This is so, because one's competence changes in accordance with ones experience with linguistic units. This way, the frequency of usage-events determines one's knowledge of the language in question.

Related Topics:
Usage-based linguistic theories - Competence - Langue - Performance - Parole - Probabilistic - Usage-events

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