Language contact in language obsolescence

Aikhenvald, Alexandra Y. (2012) Language contact in language obsolescence. In: Chamoreau, Claudine, and Léglise, Isabelle, (eds.) Dynamic of Contact-Induced Language Change. Language Contact and Bilingualism, 2 . De Gruyter Mouton, Berlin, Germany, pp. 77-109.

[img]
Preview
Image (JPEG) (Book Cover) - Cover Image
Download (115kB)
[img] PDF (Published Version) - Published Version
Restricted to Repository staff only

View at Publisher Website: http://www.degruyter.com/view/product/17...
 
264


Abstract

The difference between language change in "healthy" and in endangered or obsolescent languages very often lies not in the sorts of change, which tend to be the same (Campbell and Muntzel 1989). It tends to lie in the quantity of change and in the speed with which the obsolescent language changes (see Schmidt 1985: 213; Aikhenvald 2002: 243-264). Language displacement frequently results in reduction of paradigms, simplification and loss of the language's own features, and, ultimately, language shift and loss. As the obsolescent language is "retreating, contracting, as it gradually falls into disuse" (Dixon 1991a: 199), we expect it to be flooded with an influx of patterns and forms from the dominant language.

Item ID: 21952
Item Type: Book Chapter (Research - B1)
ISBN: 978-3-11-027133-1
Date Deposited: 20 Jun 2012 01:12
FoR Codes: 20 LANGUAGE, COMMUNICATION AND CULTURE > 2004 Linguistics > 200407 Lexicography @ 100%
SEO Codes: 97 EXPANDING KNOWLEDGE > 970120 Expanding Knowledge in Language, Communication and Culture @ 100%
Downloads: Total: 264
Last 12 Months: 9
More Statistics

Actions (Repository Staff Only)

Item Control Page Item Control Page