How to Cite

Sanchez-Stockhammer, Christina: Copy and Write: The Transformative Power of Copying in Language, in Forberg, Corinna and Stockhammer, Philipp W. (Eds.): The Transformative Power of the Copy: A Transcultural and Interdisciplinary Approach, Heidelberg: Heidelberg University Publishing, 2017 (Heidelberg Studies on Transculturality, Volume 2), p. 127–148. https://doi.org/10.17885/heiup.195.c1632

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https://doi.org/10.17885/heiup.195.260
ISBN 978-3-946054-15-3 (PDF)
ISBN 978-3-946054-16-0 (Softcover)
ISBN 978-3-946054-14-6 (Hardcover)

Published

07/28/2017

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Authors

Christina Sanchez-Stockhammer

Copy and Write: The Transformative Power of Copying in Language

Abstract This contribution explores what can be considered an original and what can be defined as a copy in language. To this end, it elaborates on the role of the classical Saussurean dichotomy langue/parole and factors such as the size and frequency of prefabricated chunks. Furthermore, it discusses how similar linguistic copies can be to a supposed original. After considering briefly whether copying is possible in the oral mode,  this paper focuses on the question of what constitutes a copy in written language and, more specifically, quoting in academic writing. It concludes with a discussion of the importance of copying for processes of language change.

Keywords Original language use, plagiarism, copying in academic quotations, copying in language processing, copying and language change