Aikhenvald, Alexandra (2014) Language contact and areal linguistics. In: Genetti, Carol, (ed.) How Languages Work: an introduction to language and linguistics. Cambridge University Press, New York, NY, USA, pp. 295-317.

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Abstract

[Extract] The previous chapter introduced the topic of language change and language family. In this chapter, we will explore one type of language change in more detail, the change that occurs when speakers of different languages interact with each other, in other words, when the languages are in contact. This chapter will introduce linguistic borrowing, the incorporation of forms or even meanings from one language into another. It will examine the motivations for borrowing, the range of borrowed elements, factors which promote or impede borrowing, and what happens as borrowed items are incorporated into another language.

The chapter will also discuss correlations between the sociopolitical relationships of language communities and the degree and nature of change from language contact. It will introduce special contact languages, pidgins, and creoles, which come about when groups of people with no language in common must work together or engage in trade. It will conclude by presenting linguistic areas, geographic regions that result from long-term contact between neighboring languages, which results in the sharing of features and structural convergence. This chapter demonstrates that languages are strongly influences by the larger societal, political, and geographical features that define the speech communities.

Item ID:	31460
Item Type:	Book Chapter (Research - B1)
ISBN:	978-0-521-17468-8
Keywords:	language contact; borrowing; calques; pidgin; bilingualism; multilingualism; creole; interference; linguistic area; diffusion
Date Deposited:	02 Oct 2014 04:59
FoR Codes:	20 LANGUAGE, COMMUNICATION AND CULTURE > 2004 Linguistics > 200408 Linguistic Structures (incl Grammar, Phonology, Lexicon, Semantics) @ 100%
SEO Codes:	97 EXPANDING KNOWLEDGE > 970120 Expanding Knowledge in Language, Communication and Culture @ 100%
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