Variation in first and second language French
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Mireille Bilger
Abstract
This paper looks at the distribution of parce que (subordinating and non-subordinating because) in native and non-native (students at a UK university) speakers of French. In both first and second language data, the use of parce que sequences is found to vary quantitatively from one type of speech situation to another. In the non-native speaker group, this variation is found irrespective of year of study: first year learners are often just as variable (even more so in some instances) as fourth year learners in terms of the distribution of parce que sequences.
Abstract
This paper looks at the distribution of parce que (subordinating and non-subordinating because) in native and non-native (students at a UK university) speakers of French. In both first and second language data, the use of parce que sequences is found to vary quantitatively from one type of speech situation to another. In the non-native speaker group, this variation is found irrespective of year of study: first year learners are often just as variable (even more so in some instances) as fourth year learners in terms of the distribution of parce que sequences.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Introduction vii
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Section I. Phonological variation and leveling
- Introduction 3
- Perception and production in French dialect leveling 9
- The sociolinguistic relevance of regional categories 25
- Prosodic style-shifting as audience design 43
- The immigrant factor in phonological leveling 63
- A prototype-theoretic model of Southern French 77
- The law of position revisited 95
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Section II. Stylistic and syntactic variation
- Introduction 115
- Variation in first and second language French 121
- French preadolescents’ perceptions of stylistic variation 141
- Sociolinguistic variation in African French 159
- Register variation in the non-standard use of non-finite forms 177
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Section III. Lexical variation and semantic change
- Introduction 195
- Discourse markers and regional variation in French 201
- Sociolinguistic factors and the pragmaticalization of bon in contemporary spoken French 215
- From ‘luck’ to ‘wealth’ 231
- Index 253
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Introduction vii
-
Section I. Phonological variation and leveling
- Introduction 3
- Perception and production in French dialect leveling 9
- The sociolinguistic relevance of regional categories 25
- Prosodic style-shifting as audience design 43
- The immigrant factor in phonological leveling 63
- A prototype-theoretic model of Southern French 77
- The law of position revisited 95
-
Section II. Stylistic and syntactic variation
- Introduction 115
- Variation in first and second language French 121
- French preadolescents’ perceptions of stylistic variation 141
- Sociolinguistic variation in African French 159
- Register variation in the non-standard use of non-finite forms 177
-
Section III. Lexical variation and semantic change
- Introduction 195
- Discourse markers and regional variation in French 201
- Sociolinguistic factors and the pragmaticalization of bon in contemporary spoken French 215
- From ‘luck’ to ‘wealth’ 231
- Index 253
