PIETER MUYSKEN
- Published in print:
- 2012
- Published Online:
- January 2013
- ISBN:
- 9780197265031
- eISBN:
- 9780191754142
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- British Academy
- DOI:
- 10.5871/bacad/9780197265031.003.0004
- Subject:
- Classical Studies, American History: pre-Columbian BCE to 500CE
This chapter explores various sociolinguistic scenarios of language contact which may be potentially invoked to account for the complex relationship between Quechua and Aymara. The evidence for the ...
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This chapter explores various sociolinguistic scenarios of language contact which may be potentially invoked to account for the complex relationship between Quechua and Aymara. The evidence for the Quechuan and Aymaran language families having separate origins, but engaging in intensive borrowing, is stronger than that supporting common origin. One language may be assumed to have been ‘modelled’ on the other. It is argued here on linguistic grounds that it was most likely Aymara that provided the model for Quechua. The precise nature of their contact remains to be established, however. The chapter describes and evaluates eight scenarios, not necessarily mutually exclusive, that might be invoked to account for it. All are drawn from the literature on language contact studies, illustrating how results from such work can bear on deep-time historical linguistics. Finally, the chapter speculates on what might constitute archaeological evidence for these scenarios.Less
This chapter explores various sociolinguistic scenarios of language contact which may be potentially invoked to account for the complex relationship between Quechua and Aymara. The evidence for the Quechuan and Aymaran language families having separate origins, but engaging in intensive borrowing, is stronger than that supporting common origin. One language may be assumed to have been ‘modelled’ on the other. It is argued here on linguistic grounds that it was most likely Aymara that provided the model for Quechua. The precise nature of their contact remains to be established, however. The chapter describes and evaluates eight scenarios, not necessarily mutually exclusive, that might be invoked to account for it. All are drawn from the literature on language contact studies, illustrating how results from such work can bear on deep-time historical linguistics. Finally, the chapter speculates on what might constitute archaeological evidence for these scenarios.
John McWhorter
- Published in print:
- 2007
- Published Online:
- September 2007
- ISBN:
- 9780195309805
- eISBN:
- 9780199788378
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195309805.003.0002
- Subject:
- Linguistics, Theoretical Linguistics
This introductory chapter begins with a discussion of complexity arguments regarding second-language acquisition. It argues that this neglect of the role of reduction in language contact beyond ...
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This introductory chapter begins with a discussion of complexity arguments regarding second-language acquisition. It argues that this neglect of the role of reduction in language contact beyond pidginization constitutes an empirical gap, neglecting a commonly encountered qualitative difference between related languages. This argument is founded on three basic assumptions: that in ordinary language change, grammars never become radically less complex overall; that radical simplification can be as central to the result of language contact as mixture; and that inflection is but one aspect of grammatical complexity.Less
This introductory chapter begins with a discussion of complexity arguments regarding second-language acquisition. It argues that this neglect of the role of reduction in language contact beyond pidginization constitutes an empirical gap, neglecting a commonly encountered qualitative difference between related languages. This argument is founded on three basic assumptions: that in ordinary language change, grammars never become radically less complex overall; that radical simplification can be as central to the result of language contact as mixture; and that inflection is but one aspect of grammatical complexity.
Theodore Markopoulos
- Published in print:
- 2008
- Published Online:
- January 2009
- ISBN:
- 9780199539857
- eISBN:
- 9780191716317
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199539857.003.0005
- Subject:
- Linguistics, Syntax and Morphology, Historical Linguistics
This bulky chapter is devoted to the examination of Late Medieval Greek (11th–15th c. AD), the first period after late antiquity which provides us with material in a “vernacular” variety of Greek. ...
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This bulky chapter is devoted to the examination of Late Medieval Greek (11th–15th c. AD), the first period after late antiquity which provides us with material in a “vernacular” variety of Greek. The investigation, based on both literary and non‐literary sources, gives new insights into a great variety of issues, such as the semantic development of the μέλλω AVC—illustrated here for the first time. The much discussed and debated “θέ νά” construction is investigated at length, and a new account of its development is proposed, partly based on language contact between Greek‐ and Romance‐speaking populations, a largely unexplored issue.Less
This bulky chapter is devoted to the examination of Late Medieval Greek (11th–15th c. AD), the first period after late antiquity which provides us with material in a “vernacular” variety of Greek. The investigation, based on both literary and non‐literary sources, gives new insights into a great variety of issues, such as the semantic development of the μέλλω AVC—illustrated here for the first time. The much discussed and debated “θέ νά” construction is investigated at length, and a new account of its development is proposed, partly based on language contact between Greek‐ and Romance‐speaking populations, a largely unexplored issue.
John McWhorter
- Published in print:
- 2007
- Published Online:
- September 2007
- ISBN:
- 9780195309805
- eISBN:
- 9780199788378
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195309805.001.0001
- Subject:
- Linguistics, Theoretical Linguistics
Foreigners often say that the English language is “easy”. A language like Spanish is challenging in its variety of verb endings and gender for nouns, whereas English is more straightforward. But ...
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Foreigners often say that the English language is “easy”. A language like Spanish is challenging in its variety of verb endings and gender for nouns, whereas English is more straightforward. But linguists generally deny claims that certain languages are ‘easier’ than others, since it is assumed that all languages are complex to the same degree. For example, they will point to English's use of the word “do” — Do you know French? This usage is counter-intuitive and difficult for non-native speakers. This book agrees that all languages are complex, but questions whether or not they are all equally complex. The topic of complexity has become an area of great debate in recent years, particularly in creole studies, historical linguistics, and language contact. This book describes when languages came into contact (when French-speakers ruled the English for a few centuries, or the Vikings invaded England), a large number of speakers are forced to learn a new language quickly and thus came up with a simplified version, a pidgin. When this ultimately turns into a “real” language, a creole, the result is still simpler and less complex than a “non-interrupted” language that has been around for a long time. This book makes the case that this kind of simplification happens by degrees, and criticizes linguists who are reluctant to say that, for example, English is simpler than Spanish for socio-historical reasons. It analyzes how various languages that seem simple but are not creoles, actually are simpler than they would be if they had not been broken down by large numbers of adult learners. In addition to English, the book looks at Mandarin Chinese, Persian, Malay, and some Arabic varieties.Less
Foreigners often say that the English language is “easy”. A language like Spanish is challenging in its variety of verb endings and gender for nouns, whereas English is more straightforward. But linguists generally deny claims that certain languages are ‘easier’ than others, since it is assumed that all languages are complex to the same degree. For example, they will point to English's use of the word “do” — Do you know French? This usage is counter-intuitive and difficult for non-native speakers. This book agrees that all languages are complex, but questions whether or not they are all equally complex. The topic of complexity has become an area of great debate in recent years, particularly in creole studies, historical linguistics, and language contact. This book describes when languages came into contact (when French-speakers ruled the English for a few centuries, or the Vikings invaded England), a large number of speakers are forced to learn a new language quickly and thus came up with a simplified version, a pidgin. When this ultimately turns into a “real” language, a creole, the result is still simpler and less complex than a “non-interrupted” language that has been around for a long time. This book makes the case that this kind of simplification happens by degrees, and criticizes linguists who are reluctant to say that, for example, English is simpler than Spanish for socio-historical reasons. It analyzes how various languages that seem simple but are not creoles, actually are simpler than they would be if they had not been broken down by large numbers of adult learners. In addition to English, the book looks at Mandarin Chinese, Persian, Malay, and some Arabic varieties.
Theodore Markopoulos
- Published in print:
- 2008
- Published Online:
- January 2009
- ISBN:
- 9780199539857
- eISBN:
- 9780191716317
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199539857.001.0001
- Subject:
- Linguistics, Syntax and Morphology, Historical Linguistics
This book investigates the development of three future‐referring constructions in Greek, namely “μέλλω / œχω / θέλω + Infinitive / complement clause” in the classical (5th–4th c. BC), the ...
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This book investigates the development of three future‐referring constructions in Greek, namely “μέλλω / œχω / θέλω + Infinitive / complement clause” in the classical (5th–4th c. BC), the Hellenistic–Roman (3rd c. BC–4th c. AD), the Early Medieval (5th–10th c. AD), and the Late Medieval period (11th–15th c. AD). Despite their co‐occurrence in all these periods, it is shown for the first time that these constructions were increasingly differentiated in terms of their semantic, syntactic, and sociolinguistic properties. The analysis sheds new light on these developments, since large parts are based on hitherto unknown material, drawn especially from papyri and non‐literary documents. The investigation is based on the functional–typological perspective of grammaticalization, and it pays particular attention to a variety of—often neglected—factors, such as language contact. The typological predictions concerning future‐referring forms are found lacking in some respects, and various modifications are proposed accordingly.Less
This book investigates the development of three future‐referring constructions in Greek, namely “μέλλω / œχω / θέλω + Infinitive / complement clause” in the classical (5th–4th c. BC), the Hellenistic–Roman (3rd c. BC–4th c. AD), the Early Medieval (5th–10th c. AD), and the Late Medieval period (11th–15th c. AD). Despite their co‐occurrence in all these periods, it is shown for the first time that these constructions were increasingly differentiated in terms of their semantic, syntactic, and sociolinguistic properties. The analysis sheds new light on these developments, since large parts are based on hitherto unknown material, drawn especially from papyri and non‐literary documents. The investigation is based on the functional–typological perspective of grammaticalization, and it pays particular attention to a variety of—often neglected—factors, such as language contact. The typological predictions concerning future‐referring forms are found lacking in some respects, and various modifications are proposed accordingly.
D. Gary Miller
- Published in print:
- 2010
- Published Online:
- January 2011
- ISBN:
- 9780199583423
- eISBN:
- 9780191723438
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199583423.003.0006
- Subject:
- Linguistics, Historical Linguistics, Theoretical Linguistics
Motivations of Language Change. Various factors motivate change in different components of the grammar and lexicon. Contact is a major catalyst, being the epitomous alteration of the triggering ...
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Motivations of Language Change. Various factors motivate change in different components of the grammar and lexicon. Contact is a major catalyst, being the epitomous alteration of the triggering experience. A contact or socially motivated change can have different properties from one that is functionally motivated or whose origin is abductive in nature, e.g. reanalysis, which always involves a surface ambiguity. This permits the acquirer only certain options for an analysis, but the one selected must still be motivated. Like all other changes, unless categorically prompted or externally sanctioned, reanalyses need not be realized as language changes, which prompts a discussion of the interacting tensions between continuity and innovation. The second half of the chapter treats Danish‐English contact in northeast England and the death of Anglo‐French in medieval England.Less
Motivations of Language Change. Various factors motivate change in different components of the grammar and lexicon. Contact is a major catalyst, being the epitomous alteration of the triggering experience. A contact or socially motivated change can have different properties from one that is functionally motivated or whose origin is abductive in nature, e.g. reanalysis, which always involves a surface ambiguity. This permits the acquirer only certain options for an analysis, but the one selected must still be motivated. Like all other changes, unless categorically prompted or externally sanctioned, reanalyses need not be realized as language changes, which prompts a discussion of the interacting tensions between continuity and innovation. The second half of the chapter treats Danish‐English contact in northeast England and the death of Anglo‐French in medieval England.
Alexandra Y. Aikhenvald
- Published in print:
- 2012
- Published Online:
- May 2012
- ISBN:
- 9780199593569
- eISBN:
- 9780191739385
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199593569.001.0001
- Subject:
- Linguistics, Language Families
Languages of the Amazon basin are among the most fascinating in the world. This is where one finds unusual sounds, unexpected ways of classifying nouns, elaborate positional verbs, to name just a few ...
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Languages of the Amazon basin are among the most fascinating in the world. This is where one finds unusual sounds, unexpected ways of classifying nouns, elaborate positional verbs, to name just a few features. Most Amazonian languages have been in contact with each other for many generations. Many people are multilingual, and the unusual patterns of multilingualism have given rise to intriguing patterns of language contact, extensive linguistic areas, and numerous features shared due to contact between people There are over 300 languages grouped into over fifteen language families, plus a fair number of isolates. The six major linguistic families of the Amazon basin are Arawak, Tupí, Carib, Panoan, Tucanoan and Macro‐Jê; smaller families include Makú, Guahibo, Yanomami, Witotoan, Zaparoan, Tacana, Harakmbet, Arawá and Chapacuran. Discussion in the book also includes, albeit in more cursory fashion, language families spoken in the areas adjacent to Lowland Amazonia: Chibchan, Barbacoan, Choco, and Guaicuruan. The book starts with a potted history of Amazonian peoples and their languages, and the disastrous effects of the European invasion. After a brief discussion of cultural aspects and people's lifestyle, the profile of each major and minor family are outlined. There is then discussion of the unusual patterns of language contact and multilingual interaction. Further chapters discuss the sounds of Amazonian languages; the ways in which they express possession, gender, and time and tense. In many Amazonian languages one needs to always state how one knows things, known as the category of ‘evidentiality’. Amazonian languages are relatively poor in number words, but rich in elaborate speech styles and means of expression. The book offers extensive examples, many from author's own fieldwork in Amazonia.Less
Languages of the Amazon basin are among the most fascinating in the world. This is where one finds unusual sounds, unexpected ways of classifying nouns, elaborate positional verbs, to name just a few features. Most Amazonian languages have been in contact with each other for many generations. Many people are multilingual, and the unusual patterns of multilingualism have given rise to intriguing patterns of language contact, extensive linguistic areas, and numerous features shared due to contact between people There are over 300 languages grouped into over fifteen language families, plus a fair number of isolates. The six major linguistic families of the Amazon basin are Arawak, Tupí, Carib, Panoan, Tucanoan and Macro‐Jê; smaller families include Makú, Guahibo, Yanomami, Witotoan, Zaparoan, Tacana, Harakmbet, Arawá and Chapacuran. Discussion in the book also includes, albeit in more cursory fashion, language families spoken in the areas adjacent to Lowland Amazonia: Chibchan, Barbacoan, Choco, and Guaicuruan. The book starts with a potted history of Amazonian peoples and their languages, and the disastrous effects of the European invasion. After a brief discussion of cultural aspects and people's lifestyle, the profile of each major and minor family are outlined. There is then discussion of the unusual patterns of language contact and multilingual interaction. Further chapters discuss the sounds of Amazonian languages; the ways in which they express possession, gender, and time and tense. In many Amazonian languages one needs to always state how one knows things, known as the category of ‘evidentiality’. Amazonian languages are relatively poor in number words, but rich in elaborate speech styles and means of expression. The book offers extensive examples, many from author's own fieldwork in Amazonia.
Georges-Jean Pinault
- Published in print:
- 2003
- Published Online:
- January 2013
- ISBN:
- 9780197262856
- eISBN:
- 9780191753961
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- British Academy
- DOI:
- 10.5871/bacad/9780197262856.003.0012
- Subject:
- Classical Studies, Asian and Middle Eastern History: BCE to 500CE
Since the beginning of Tocharian studies, the two languages of the ‘Tocharian’ group have interested Iranianists as well as Indologists because of the proximity of the sites where Tocharian ...
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Since the beginning of Tocharian studies, the two languages of the ‘Tocharian’ group have interested Iranianists as well as Indologists because of the proximity of the sites where Tocharian manuscripts and those in Iranian languages, such as Khotanese and Sogdian, were discovered at the beginning of the twentieth century. In respect of the contents of the texts, which are almost all of Buddhist inspiration, Tocharian studies fall into the Indian sphere. This chapter focuses on lexical problems in Tocharian which need to be approached from the perspective of language contact, in order to exemplify the problems of research in this field.Less
Since the beginning of Tocharian studies, the two languages of the ‘Tocharian’ group have interested Iranianists as well as Indologists because of the proximity of the sites where Tocharian manuscripts and those in Iranian languages, such as Khotanese and Sogdian, were discovered at the beginning of the twentieth century. In respect of the contents of the texts, which are almost all of Buddhist inspiration, Tocharian studies fall into the Indian sphere. This chapter focuses on lexical problems in Tocharian which need to be approached from the perspective of language contact, in order to exemplify the problems of research in this field.
Alexandra Y. Aikhenvald
- Published in print:
- 2012
- Published Online:
- May 2012
- ISBN:
- 9780199593569
- eISBN:
- 9780191739385
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199593569.003.0002
- Subject:
- Linguistics, Language Families
This chapter starts with the definition of linguistic areas and language regions. Amazonia is contrasted with the Andean domain in terms of their linguistic features. We then turn to detailed ...
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This chapter starts with the definition of linguistic areas and language regions. Amazonia is contrasted with the Andean domain in terms of their linguistic features. We then turn to detailed analysis of linguistic areas in Amazonia. Of these, the linguistic area of the Vaupés River Basin is among the best known. It is characterized by obligatory multilingualism based on linguistic exogamy: one can only marry someone who speaks a different language. The Xingu Indigenous Park is a contact zone where over sixteen languages are spoken. Most other contact situations have been described for northern and southern Amazonia. Contact with national languages and linguae franche has resulted in influx of loans and language obscolescence. There is a list of further sources and readings on areal linguistic and language contact, with special reference to AmazoniaLess
This chapter starts with the definition of linguistic areas and language regions. Amazonia is contrasted with the Andean domain in terms of their linguistic features. We then turn to detailed analysis of linguistic areas in Amazonia. Of these, the linguistic area of the Vaupés River Basin is among the best known. It is characterized by obligatory multilingualism based on linguistic exogamy: one can only marry someone who speaks a different language. The Xingu Indigenous Park is a contact zone where over sixteen languages are spoken. Most other contact situations have been described for northern and southern Amazonia. Contact with national languages and linguae franche has resulted in influx of loans and language obscolescence. There is a list of further sources and readings on areal linguistic and language contact, with special reference to Amazonia
Ulrike Zeshan
- Published in print:
- 2010
- Published Online:
- January 2011
- ISBN:
- 9780199732548
- eISBN:
- 9780199866359
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199732548.003.0012
- Subject:
- Linguistics, Applied Linguistics and Pedagogy
The study of village sign languages is at the forefront of new approaches to developing a typology of languages. Indeed, recent research has shown that the study of village sign disconfirms some of ...
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The study of village sign languages is at the forefront of new approaches to developing a typology of languages. Indeed, recent research has shown that the study of village sign disconfirms some of our previously held assumptions about the linguistic structure of sign languages based on the study of the better-known sign languages of Europe and North America (such as that they all use classifiers — Adamorobe Sign Language does not). Further, village sign languages present distinct sociolinguistic contexts that are instructive to study with respect to understanding language contact issues. Finally, the endangered status of these languages raises philosophical questions about the nature of human language.Less
The study of village sign languages is at the forefront of new approaches to developing a typology of languages. Indeed, recent research has shown that the study of village sign disconfirms some of our previously held assumptions about the linguistic structure of sign languages based on the study of the better-known sign languages of Europe and North America (such as that they all use classifiers — Adamorobe Sign Language does not). Further, village sign languages present distinct sociolinguistic contexts that are instructive to study with respect to understanding language contact issues. Finally, the endangered status of these languages raises philosophical questions about the nature of human language.
Kenneth Haynes
- Published in print:
- 2007
- Published Online:
- January 2010
- ISBN:
- 9780199212125
- eISBN:
- 9780191718663
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199212125.001.0001
- Subject:
- Literature, Criticism/Theory
Literature in English is hardly ever entirely in English. Contact with other languages takes place, for example, whenever foreign languages are introduced, or if a native style is self-consciously ...
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Literature in English is hardly ever entirely in English. Contact with other languages takes place, for example, whenever foreign languages are introduced, or if a native style is self-consciously developed, or when aspects of English are remade in the image of another language. Since the Renaissance, Latin and Greek have been an important presence in British poetry and prose. This is partly because of the importance of the ideals and ideologies founded and elaborated on Roman and Greek models. Latin quotations and latinate English have always been ways to represent, scrutinise, or satirize the influential values associated with Rome. The importance of Latin and Greek is also due to the fact that they have helped to form and define a variety of British social groups. Lawyers, Catholics, and British gentlemen invested in Latin as one source of their distinction from non-professionals, from Protestants, and from the unleisured. British attitudes toward Greek and Latin have been highly charged because the animus that existed between groups has also been directed toward these languages themselves. This book is a study of literary uses of language contact, of English literature in conjunction with Latin and Greek. While the book's emphasis is literary, that is formal and verbal, its goal is to discover how social interests and cultural ideas are, and are not, mediated through language.Less
Literature in English is hardly ever entirely in English. Contact with other languages takes place, for example, whenever foreign languages are introduced, or if a native style is self-consciously developed, or when aspects of English are remade in the image of another language. Since the Renaissance, Latin and Greek have been an important presence in British poetry and prose. This is partly because of the importance of the ideals and ideologies founded and elaborated on Roman and Greek models. Latin quotations and latinate English have always been ways to represent, scrutinise, or satirize the influential values associated with Rome. The importance of Latin and Greek is also due to the fact that they have helped to form and define a variety of British social groups. Lawyers, Catholics, and British gentlemen invested in Latin as one source of their distinction from non-professionals, from Protestants, and from the unleisured. British attitudes toward Greek and Latin have been highly charged because the animus that existed between groups has also been directed toward these languages themselves. This book is a study of literary uses of language contact, of English literature in conjunction with Latin and Greek. While the book's emphasis is literary, that is formal and verbal, its goal is to discover how social interests and cultural ideas are, and are not, mediated through language.
Salvador Climent, Joaquim MorÉ, Antoni Oliver, MÍriam Salvatierra, Imma SÀnchez, and TaulÉ Mariona
- Published in print:
- 2007
- Published Online:
- September 2007
- ISBN:
- 9780195304794
- eISBN:
- 9780199788248
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195304794.003.0009
- Subject:
- Linguistics, Sociolinguistics / Anthropological Linguistics
This chapter presents an in-depth linguistic evaluation of a corpus of messages posted in several bilingual newsgroups in Catalonia (Spain). The social context is a situation of bilingualism and ...
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This chapter presents an in-depth linguistic evaluation of a corpus of messages posted in several bilingual newsgroups in Catalonia (Spain). The social context is a situation of bilingualism and language contact where Spanish seems to be progressively overtaking Catalan as the language of daily use. The decline of Catalan might be prevented by integrating online machine translation (MT) into newsgroups, so that Catalan speakers do not feel the need or pressure to shift to using Spanish. Therefore, the main goal of this chapter is to ascertain the linguistic characteristics of the email register, in order to assess the implications for the implementation of online machine translation environments. The chapter reports to what extent different types of linguistic mistakes or deviations from the norm threaten the feasibility of online automatic translation, and offers some suggestions how to overcome the limitations of MT systems in processing “noisy” CMC input.Less
This chapter presents an in-depth linguistic evaluation of a corpus of messages posted in several bilingual newsgroups in Catalonia (Spain). The social context is a situation of bilingualism and language contact where Spanish seems to be progressively overtaking Catalan as the language of daily use. The decline of Catalan might be prevented by integrating online machine translation (MT) into newsgroups, so that Catalan speakers do not feel the need or pressure to shift to using Spanish. Therefore, the main goal of this chapter is to ascertain the linguistic characteristics of the email register, in order to assess the implications for the implementation of online machine translation environments. The chapter reports to what extent different types of linguistic mistakes or deviations from the norm threaten the feasibility of online automatic translation, and offers some suggestions how to overcome the limitations of MT systems in processing “noisy” CMC input.
Paola Crisma and Giuseppe Longobardi (eds)
- Published in print:
- 2009
- Published Online:
- May 2009
- ISBN:
- 9780199560547
- eISBN:
- 9780191721267
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199560547.001.0001
- Subject:
- Linguistics, Syntax and Morphology, Historical Linguistics
This book considers developments in the study of diachronic linguistics and linguistic theory, including those concerned with the very definition of language change in the biolinguistic framework, ...
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This book considers developments in the study of diachronic linguistics and linguistic theory, including those concerned with the very definition of language change in the biolinguistic framework, parametric change in a minimalist conception of grammar, the tension between the observed gradual nature of language change and the binary nature of parameters, and whether syntactic change can be triggered internally or requires the external stimuli produced by phonological or morphological change or through language contact. It tests their value and applicability by examining syntactic change at different times and in a wide range of languages, including German, Chinese, Dutch, Sanskrit, Egyptian, Norwegian, old Italian, Portuguese, English, the Benue-Kwa languages of Niger-Congo, Catalan, Spanish, and old French. The book is divided into three parts devoted to theoretical issues in historical syntax; external (such as contact and interference) and internal (grammatical) sources of morphosynactic change; and parameter setting and reanalysis.Less
This book considers developments in the study of diachronic linguistics and linguistic theory, including those concerned with the very definition of language change in the biolinguistic framework, parametric change in a minimalist conception of grammar, the tension between the observed gradual nature of language change and the binary nature of parameters, and whether syntactic change can be triggered internally or requires the external stimuli produced by phonological or morphological change or through language contact. It tests their value and applicability by examining syntactic change at different times and in a wide range of languages, including German, Chinese, Dutch, Sanskrit, Egyptian, Norwegian, old Italian, Portuguese, English, the Benue-Kwa languages of Niger-Congo, Catalan, Spanish, and old French. The book is divided into three parts devoted to theoretical issues in historical syntax; external (such as contact and interference) and internal (grammatical) sources of morphosynactic change; and parameter setting and reanalysis.
Richard J. Watts
- Published in print:
- 2011
- Published Online:
- May 2011
- ISBN:
- 9780195327601
- eISBN:
- 9780199893539
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195327601.003.0004
- Subject:
- Linguistics, Sociolinguistics / Anthropological Linguistics
One recently constructed myth—which has now gone beyond the confines of academia—is the English‐as‐a‐creole myth, which assumes that Middle English is best looked at as a creole created by intensive ...
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One recently constructed myth—which has now gone beyond the confines of academia—is the English‐as‐a‐creole myth, which assumes that Middle English is best looked at as a creole created by intensive language contact between speakers of Anglo‐Norman and Central French and speakers of English. The chapter surveys the arguments for and against this hypothesis, which extends further back in time to include language contact between Anglo‐Saxon and various forms of Old Norse. The central argument is that the language contact situations in which early forms of English were involved represent koinëisation and new dialect (or variety) formation rather than creole formation. To support this argument data are provided from texts originating in the Danelaw part of England which reveal gradual changes in English since the time of Old English/Old Norse contact in the ninth century till the late thirteenth century, all of which argues against the English‐as‐a‐creole hypothesis.Less
One recently constructed myth—which has now gone beyond the confines of academia—is the English‐as‐a‐creole myth, which assumes that Middle English is best looked at as a creole created by intensive language contact between speakers of Anglo‐Norman and Central French and speakers of English. The chapter surveys the arguments for and against this hypothesis, which extends further back in time to include language contact between Anglo‐Saxon and various forms of Old Norse. The central argument is that the language contact situations in which early forms of English were involved represent koinëisation and new dialect (or variety) formation rather than creole formation. To support this argument data are provided from texts originating in the Danelaw part of England which reveal gradual changes in English since the time of Old English/Old Norse contact in the ninth century till the late thirteenth century, all of which argues against the English‐as‐a‐creole hypothesis.
Karen Corrigan
- Published in print:
- 2010
- Published Online:
- September 2012
- ISBN:
- 9780748634286
- eISBN:
- 9780748671441
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Edinburgh University Press
- DOI:
- 10.3366/edinburgh/9780748634286.001.0001
- Subject:
- Linguistics, Sociolinguistics / Anthropological Linguistics
This book focuses on the sociolinguistic consequences of historical contact between indigenous Irish peoples and newer English and Scottish settlers in what is now the territory of Northern Ireland ...
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This book focuses on the sociolinguistic consequences of historical contact between indigenous Irish peoples and newer English and Scottish settlers in what is now the territory of Northern Ireland (NI). The contact varieties that resulted represent the oldest L2 ‘Englishes’ globally. Moreover, the degree of admixture from English, Irish and Scots in the contemporary dialects of NI reflects various external forces. Naturally, these varieties share certain structural features with sister Celtic Englishes and indeed with other vernacular Englishes globally (partly because of extensive emigration from NI post-1700 and partly due to universal tendencies of various types). However, there are other linguistic traits that seem to be unique and therefore essentially local. Irish English, Volume 1: Northern Ireland aims to provide insights into the evolution of language in 21st century NI and to promote an understanding of linguistic diversity in this region in the context of World Englishes.Less
This book focuses on the sociolinguistic consequences of historical contact between indigenous Irish peoples and newer English and Scottish settlers in what is now the territory of Northern Ireland (NI). The contact varieties that resulted represent the oldest L2 ‘Englishes’ globally. Moreover, the degree of admixture from English, Irish and Scots in the contemporary dialects of NI reflects various external forces. Naturally, these varieties share certain structural features with sister Celtic Englishes and indeed with other vernacular Englishes globally (partly because of extensive emigration from NI post-1700 and partly due to universal tendencies of various types). However, there are other linguistic traits that seem to be unique and therefore essentially local. Irish English, Volume 1: Northern Ireland aims to provide insights into the evolution of language in 21st century NI and to promote an understanding of linguistic diversity in this region in the context of World Englishes.
Johanna Nichols
- Published in print:
- 2020
- Published Online:
- October 2020
- ISBN:
- 9780198723813
- eISBN:
- 9780191791154
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/oso/9780198723813.003.0002
- Subject:
- Linguistics, Language Families, Sociolinguistics / Anthropological Linguistics
The sociolinguistics of language contact is known to effect levels of phonological and grammatical complexity of the languages involved, and linguistic features are known to have different levels of ...
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The sociolinguistics of language contact is known to effect levels of phonological and grammatical complexity of the languages involved, and linguistic features are known to have different levels of stability and different propensities of borrowing and diffusion. This chapter lays out basic taxonomies of demographic and geographical histories of areas, stability or instability or linguistic variables, and ages of areas, and raises hypotheses about correlations among them. Pilot studies of ten areas worldwide support the expected correlations.Less
The sociolinguistics of language contact is known to effect levels of phonological and grammatical complexity of the languages involved, and linguistic features are known to have different levels of stability and different propensities of borrowing and diffusion. This chapter lays out basic taxonomies of demographic and geographical histories of areas, stability or instability or linguistic variables, and ages of areas, and raises hypotheses about correlations among them. Pilot studies of ten areas worldwide support the expected correlations.
Terry Crowley
- Published in print:
- 2002
- Published Online:
- January 2010
- ISBN:
- 9780198241355
- eISBN:
- 9780191712050
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198241355.003.0006
- Subject:
- Linguistics, Semantics and Pragmatics, Language Families
This chapter discusses the distribution and development of serial verbs in Melanesian pidgin, with emphasis on language contact between mainly Oceanic languages and English in the late 19th and 20th ...
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This chapter discusses the distribution and development of serial verbs in Melanesian pidgin, with emphasis on language contact between mainly Oceanic languages and English in the late 19th and 20th centuries. The different varieties of Melanesian pidgin — Tok Pisin in Papua New Guinea, Pijin in Solomon Islands, and Bislama in Vanuatu — represent a predominantly English-lexifier contact language in which significant elements of the structure have been attributed to transfer from predominantly Oceanic substrate grammatical patterns. The chapter examines verb serialization in the pidgin of Melanesia, as well as sources of serial verbs in Melanesian pidgin, and grammaticalization of serial verbs in Melanesian pidgin.Less
This chapter discusses the distribution and development of serial verbs in Melanesian pidgin, with emphasis on language contact between mainly Oceanic languages and English in the late 19th and 20th centuries. The different varieties of Melanesian pidgin — Tok Pisin in Papua New Guinea, Pijin in Solomon Islands, and Bislama in Vanuatu — represent a predominantly English-lexifier contact language in which significant elements of the structure have been attributed to transfer from predominantly Oceanic substrate grammatical patterns. The chapter examines verb serialization in the pidgin of Melanesia, as well as sources of serial verbs in Melanesian pidgin, and grammaticalization of serial verbs in Melanesian pidgin.
MARTTI LEIWO
- Published in print:
- 2002
- Published Online:
- February 2010
- ISBN:
- 9780199245062
- eISBN:
- 9780191715129
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199245062.003.0007
- Subject:
- Classical Studies, Literary Studies: Classical, Early, and Medieval
Speakers of Greek and Latin were in contact for several hundred years. This chapter proposes a typology for distinct language contact features in the light of epigraphy, and discusses Latin-Greek ...
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Speakers of Greek and Latin were in contact for several hundred years. This chapter proposes a typology for distinct language contact features in the light of epigraphy, and discusses Latin-Greek contact in Italy through the language transmitted by Christian and Jewish speech communities from the third to the sixth century AD. Two distinct conceptions should be kept in mind: languages in contact and contact languages. When languages are in contact, the contact may create linguistic change and even structural similarity in the course of time. The chapter examines what kind of contact situations can be seen in the epigraphic evidence, for example, whether the features of linguistic mixture are caused by bilingual code-switching.Less
Speakers of Greek and Latin were in contact for several hundred years. This chapter proposes a typology for distinct language contact features in the light of epigraphy, and discusses Latin-Greek contact in Italy through the language transmitted by Christian and Jewish speech communities from the third to the sixth century AD. Two distinct conceptions should be kept in mind: languages in contact and contact languages. When languages are in contact, the contact may create linguistic change and even structural similarity in the course of time. The chapter examines what kind of contact situations can be seen in the epigraphic evidence, for example, whether the features of linguistic mixture are caused by bilingual code-switching.
Ricardo Otheguy and Ana Celia Zentella
- Published in print:
- 2012
- Published Online:
- January 2012
- ISBN:
- 9780199737406
- eISBN:
- 9780199918621
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199737406.003.0001
- Subject:
- Linguistics, Sociolinguistics / Anthropological Linguistics
The chapter offers background demographic details on New York's Latino population and an initial illustration of the variable use of Spanish subject personal pronouns. The difference between ...
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The chapter offers background demographic details on New York's Latino population and an initial illustration of the variable use of Spanish subject personal pronouns. The difference between tendencies and categorical differences is stressed, as is the orderly heterogeneity of pronoun use. The concepts of performance grammar, linguistic variable, reference lects, bilingual lects, and envelope of variation are introduced. An extensive review is presented of the literature on dialectal leveling and language contact, with emphasis on the permeability of grammar as a theory‐dependent notion. The prediction that pronominal usage in New York will be shaped by language contact and dialectal leveling is made. The need for explanation in variationist research is stressed. Initial details on the sample and method for obtaining and handling interviews are sketched out.Less
The chapter offers background demographic details on New York's Latino population and an initial illustration of the variable use of Spanish subject personal pronouns. The difference between tendencies and categorical differences is stressed, as is the orderly heterogeneity of pronoun use. The concepts of performance grammar, linguistic variable, reference lects, bilingual lects, and envelope of variation are introduced. An extensive review is presented of the literature on dialectal leveling and language contact, with emphasis on the permeability of grammar as a theory‐dependent notion. The prediction that pronominal usage in New York will be shaped by language contact and dialectal leveling is made. The need for explanation in variationist research is stressed. Initial details on the sample and method for obtaining and handling interviews are sketched out.
Richard J. Watts
- Published in print:
- 2011
- Published Online:
- May 2011
- ISBN:
- 9780195327601
- eISBN:
- 9780199893539
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195327601.003.0005
- Subject:
- Linguistics, Sociolinguistics / Anthropological Linguistics
Some of the myths that are still active today have their roots at least in the twelfth century or even before. Some are universal. The first part of Chapter 5 argues that with the rise of the ...
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Some of the myths that are still active today have their roots at least in the twelfth century or even before. Some are universal. The first part of Chapter 5 argues that with the rise of the nation-state concept in the early nineteenth century, the discourse on English became the discourse of standard English relying on the central myth of linguistic homogeneity. This myth can be found in a crucial text in locating long-standing myths, Ranulph Higden's Polychronicon. The relevant passage of the Polychronicon is examined in detail, revealing a cluster of myths, from which other more modern myths have been derived, some of them more central to discourse on language and others more peripheral, but no less significant. The chapter ends with a summary of the myths dealt with in the book as a whole before the focus is set in Chapter 6 on myths of the nineteenth century.Less
Some of the myths that are still active today have their roots at least in the twelfth century or even before. Some are universal. The first part of Chapter 5 argues that with the rise of the nation-state concept in the early nineteenth century, the discourse on English became the discourse of standard English relying on the central myth of linguistic homogeneity. This myth can be found in a crucial text in locating long-standing myths, Ranulph Higden's Polychronicon. The relevant passage of the Polychronicon is examined in detail, revealing a cluster of myths, from which other more modern myths have been derived, some of them more central to discourse on language and others more peripheral, but no less significant. The chapter ends with a summary of the myths dealt with in the book as a whole before the focus is set in Chapter 6 on myths of the nineteenth century.
