Nominator's statement

This work is fundamental to cognitive linguistics. It is the first work that viewed language as a "tool" that is shaped by its "jobs" in human society. It introduced the idea that behaviors that are "useful" are performed frequently, and frequent behaviors become quicker and easier to perform. The very existence of these quick, easy behavior patterns then cause individuals to choose them, even when they aren't necessarily the best behavior from a functional point of view. This idea led (eventually through many twists and turns) to the idea of habituation of neural pathways.

comments

• This work should definitely be on the list.

• The idea of a "principle of least effort" has also been appropriated by Chomsky and Chomskians as the fundamental force driving the Minimalist Program....