Howes' word count of spoken English was analyzed to determine the derivational sources of the words that comprise the bulk of spoken English. Approximately 75% of spoken English is accomplished by the use of only 240 words and about 85% of these words are derived from Old English sources.
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References
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HowesD.A word count of spoken English. Journal of Verbal Learning and Verbal Behavior, 1966, 5, 572–606.
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IrionA. L.Language structure, the learning of language, and the derivation of words. Psychological Reports, 1966, 19, 765–766.
