“Down with ___”: The linguistic schema as intermediary between formulaic and novel expressions

A special instance of formulaic expression is the linguistic schema: most of the expression is fixed, with one or more slots left open for insertion of novel words, such as I can _____ with one hand tied behind my back. This study aimed to determine whether native speakers demonstrate knowledge of the fixed portions of the schemata and flexibility for the open slots. A survey was designed with four sets of stimuli: formulaic expressions, novel sentences, schemata with their open slots left blank (schemata-novel), and schemata with open slots (schemata-fixed) in the fixed portions. Significantly fewer unique words appeared for the formulas and schemata-fixed stimuli, while more unique words were produced for novel and schematic-novel exemplars. These results, the variable provenance of schemata, and their proliferation throughout society suggest that linguistic schemata are bona fide constituents in a dual process model of language competence, holding a position intermediate between formulaic and novel language abilities.