Does convergence generate stability?
-
Stavroula Tsiplakou
Abstract
The diglossic situation between Cypriot and Standard Modern Greek is still a long way from being resolved; claims to the contrary often rest on the consideration of some structural properties of the emergent Cypriot Greek koiné, which are, arguably, of a ‘mixed’ nature, thereby pointing to a significant degree of convergence with Standard Modern Greek. Based on a host of naturalistic data as well as data collected quantitatively, I show that (a) convergence of the Cypriot Greek koiné to Standard Greek is only partial, as convergence qua structural mixing is mostly achieved through (surface) morphological, as well as lexical, choices, and that (b) the salient aspects of such convergence allow for the Cypriot Greek koiné to emerge as a relatively stable linguistic variety acting as a robust ‘buffer’ against contact-induced de-dialectization as a result of its relatively high (c)overt, prestige among Cypriot Greek speakers, which is, in turn, due to is perceived, if not actual, convergence with the Standard.
Abstract
The diglossic situation between Cypriot and Standard Modern Greek is still a long way from being resolved; claims to the contrary often rest on the consideration of some structural properties of the emergent Cypriot Greek koiné, which are, arguably, of a ‘mixed’ nature, thereby pointing to a significant degree of convergence with Standard Modern Greek. Based on a host of naturalistic data as well as data collected quantitatively, I show that (a) convergence of the Cypriot Greek koiné to Standard Greek is only partial, as convergence qua structural mixing is mostly achieved through (surface) morphological, as well as lexical, choices, and that (b) the salient aspects of such convergence allow for the Cypriot Greek koiné to emerge as a relatively stable linguistic variety acting as a robust ‘buffer’ against contact-induced de-dialectization as a result of its relatively high (c)overt, prestige among Cypriot Greek speakers, which is, in turn, due to is perceived, if not actual, convergence with the Standard.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Introduction 1
-
Part I: Theoretical aspects
- Linguistic stability and divergence 13
- Convergence vs. divergence from a diasystematic perspective 39
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Part II: Empirical studies
- Stability and convergence in case marking 63
- Towards a typological classification of Judeo-Spanish 77
- Despite or because of intensive contact? 109
- Stability in Chinese and Malay heritage languages as a source of divergence 141
- Does convergence generate stability? 163
- Gender and noun inflection 179
- Dialect stability and divergence in southern Spain 207
- The Bergen dialect splits in two 239
- Diachronic convergence and divergence in differential object marking between Spanish and Portuguese 265
- Person index 291
- Subject index 295
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Introduction 1
-
Part I: Theoretical aspects
- Linguistic stability and divergence 13
- Convergence vs. divergence from a diasystematic perspective 39
-
Part II: Empirical studies
- Stability and convergence in case marking 63
- Towards a typological classification of Judeo-Spanish 77
- Despite or because of intensive contact? 109
- Stability in Chinese and Malay heritage languages as a source of divergence 141
- Does convergence generate stability? 163
- Gender and noun inflection 179
- Dialect stability and divergence in southern Spain 207
- The Bergen dialect splits in two 239
- Diachronic convergence and divergence in differential object marking between Spanish and Portuguese 265
- Person index 291
- Subject index 295
