Frequency and Specialization in Spanish Binomials N y N

This paper examines binomials in Spanish with an N y N structure (two nouns joined by the ‘and’ conjunction y). This work is of an exploratory nature and subscribes to the Neo-Firthian current of corpus linguistics. Its theoretical and methodological focus is data driven. Through our analyses we attempt to tackle questions concerning the nature of this type of collocation. First of all, we look into whether relationship statistics such as mutual information and the frequency of a binomial are relevant for identification purposes. Secondly, we study whether the usage frequency of each of the two binomial elements is linked to the relationship created between the components. Thirdly, we explore with greater detail whether certain nouns specialize as the first or second component of these binomials, and lastly, we ponder the possible reasons why this may be.