Summary of important knowledge regarding the topic of "Language Contact" in bullet points. The book includes the following: Historical development of language, language contact + mixing, Language contact, direct an indirect borrowing, contact explanations, linguistic predictors, Integration of Loanwords, othe contact phenomena, code switching, lexical borrowing, Pidgins and Creoles (...).
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Language Contact
- Handout Seminar
- S. Thomason
- English = lingua franca = contact
- Contact Explanations
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This text aims to explore the multifaceted nature of language contact, examining its historical development, various scenarios, and resulting linguistic changes. It investigates how languages interact, converge, and diverge, considering factors such as power dynamics, social contexts, and the inherent properties of the languages involved.
- Historical Development of Language Contact
- Mechanisms of Language Change through Contact
- Factors Influencing Language Contact Outcomes
- Borrowing and Language Interference
- The Role of Social and Linguistic Factors
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
Language Contact: This chapter introduces the fundamental concept of language contact as a dynamic process shaping linguistic evolution. It contrasts gradual divergence with the sudden changes often observed in contact situations, highlighting the rarity of true language isolation. The chapter categorizes different types of language contact outcomes, ranging from maintaining linguistic separation with minimal borrowing to complete language shift, encompassing scenarios like the formation of pidgins and creoles through imperfect language learning and the influence of social factors such as power dynamics and the need for communication. Examples such as the influence of Arabic on Turkish and Farsi due to the spread of Islam, and the impact of Cherokee women marrying settlers on the development of South American dialects are provided to illustrate the complex interplay between language and social structures.
Handout Seminar: This section delves into the various scenarios in which language contact occurs, ranging from warfare and trade to intellectual exchanges and the impact of new media. It analyzes key factors influencing language contact, including the domains of interaction, the duration and intensity of contact, power relations between language groups, the prestige and attitudes toward languages, and the levels of bilingualism. A key focus is on different types of borrowing, including loanwords, loanshifts, and loan blends, providing illustrations from English's rich borrowing history. The section also considers the triple structure of borrowing, encompassing direct borrowing (e.g., hotline), indirect borrowing (e.g., calques like "Wochenende"), and semantic loans (e.g., "computer mouse" becoming "Maus"). The chapter lays the groundwork for understanding the complex interplay between external factors and the structure of the languages involved.
S. Thomason: This chapter presents a broader theoretical framework for understanding language contact, questioning the very definition of “language” within the context of contact situations and highlighting the prevalence of language contact throughout history and across various settings. It emphasizes face-to-face interaction as a primary driver of change but also acknowledges the expanding role of global communication. The chapter summarizes common outcomes of language contact, focusing on borrowing, mixing, and the creation of creoles and pidgins. It also delves into the mechanisms of language change through contact, explaining how factors such as language death, attrition, and force can shape linguistic landscapes. The historical impact of events such as European colonization and migrations is discussed as illustrative examples of large-scale language contact.
English = lingua franca = contact: This section analyzes English as a prominent example of a lingua franca, highlighting the long-term effects of peaceful relations versus conquest or invasion on the stability and nature of language contact. It bridges the gap between historical linguistics (diachronic perspective) and sociolinguistics (synchronic perspective) in understanding language change. The chapter examines extreme positions regarding the role of contact in linguistic change, acknowledging the debate between those who view it as the sole source of change and those who emphasize internal motivations. It presents a nuanced view recognizing the complex interplay of internal and external factors in driving linguistic change and the difficulties in disentangling these influences from historical data.
Contact Explanations: This concluding chapter focuses on defining and delimiting what constitutes language contact and what does not. It explores the complexities of identifying and attributing specific linguistic changes to contact-induced origins, emphasizing the need to consider the recipient language as a whole and to demonstrate the presence of contact with a specific source language. The chapter introduces criteria for determining whether a linguistic change was indeed caused by language contact, addressing challenges such as distinguishing between internal innovations and contact-induced changes. It also highlights the roles of imperfect learning, intensity of contact, duration, the bilingualism level, and social attitudes in shaping the outcomes of language contact. Finally, it considers the impact of typological distance, universal markedness, and the degree of integration of linguistic features into the system on the likelihood of borrowing and interference.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Language contact, language change, borrowing, pidgins, creoles, bilingualism, language shift, sociolinguistics, historical linguistics, language death, contact-induced change, typological distance, code-switching, language interference.
FAQ: A Comprehensive Language Preview
What is the purpose of this text?
This text explores the multifaceted nature of language contact, examining its historical development, various scenarios, and resulting linguistic changes. It investigates how languages interact, converge, and diverge, considering factors such as power dynamics, social contexts, and the inherent properties of the languages involved.
What are the key themes covered?
Key themes include the historical development of language contact, mechanisms of language change through contact, factors influencing contact outcomes, borrowing and language interference, and the role of social and linguistic factors. Specific topics addressed are the formation of pidgins and creoles, the impact of power dynamics, and the analysis of different types of borrowing (loanwords, loanshifts, loan blends, etc.).
What are the main chapters and their respective focuses?
The text is structured around several chapters: "Language Contact" introduces the fundamental concept and categorizes contact outcomes; "Handout Seminar" delves into scenarios of language contact and influencing factors; "S. Thomason" provides a broader theoretical framework; "English = lingua franca = contact" analyzes English as a lingua franca; and "Contact Explanations" defines and delimits language contact, addressing criteria for identifying contact-induced changes.
What are some examples of language contact discussed?
Examples include the influence of Arabic on Turkish and Farsi due to the spread of Islam, the impact of Cherokee women marrying settlers on South American dialects, and the extensive borrowing history of English. The text also uses English as a prime example of a lingua franca, analyzing its development and influence through various historical periods.
What theoretical frameworks are employed?
The text draws on both historical linguistics (diachronic perspective) and sociolinguistics (synchronic perspective) to understand language change. It explores differing views on the role of contact in linguistic change, acknowledging the debate between those who see it as the sole source and those who emphasize internal motivations. It presents a nuanced view recognizing the complex interplay of both.
How does the text address the identification of contact-induced changes?
The text emphasizes the complexities of attributing linguistic changes to contact. It outlines criteria for determining whether a change was contact-induced, focusing on factors like the recipient language as a whole, the presence of contact with a specific source language, and differentiating between internal innovations and external influences. The roles of imperfect learning, intensity and duration of contact, bilingualism levels, and social attitudes are also considered.
What are the key terms and concepts used throughout the text?
Key terms include language contact, language change, borrowing, pidgins, creoles, bilingualism, language shift, sociolinguistics, historical linguistics, language death, contact-induced change, typological distance, code-switching, and language interference.
What is the overall approach to the topic of language contact?
The text offers a comprehensive and nuanced exploration of language contact, moving beyond simplistic explanations to address the complex interplay of internal and external factors, social dynamics, and the inherent properties of languages involved. It highlights the importance of considering diverse perspectives and methodologies in understanding this dynamic process.
Who is the intended audience for this text?
The text is intended for an academic audience interested in linguistics, particularly those focused on language contact, historical linguistics, and sociolinguistics. The detailed explanations and theoretical framework suggest a level appropriate for advanced undergraduate or graduate studies.
Where can I find more information on the topics discussed?
The provided text serves as a valuable introduction to the field of language contact. For further research, exploring academic journals, books, and databases dedicated to linguistics, sociolinguistics, and historical linguistics would be beneficial. Specific authors and research papers cited within the chapter summaries could offer additional insight into specific aspects of the topic.
- Citation du texte
- Antje Holtmann (Auteur), 2014, Language Contact, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/277966
