John Benjamins Publishing Company
An extension of the comparative sociolinguistics approach for sociosyntax
Abstract
This paper integrates aspects of both generative theory and variationist sociolinguistics. To compare the structure of two varieties of French (Acadian French and Laurentian French), I adapt the comparative sociolinguistics approach to compare the syntactic structure of these varieties. Specifically, I focus on the effects of asinglelinguisticconstraint across multiple sociolinguistic variables. I argue that such a comparison provides insights into the underlying grammatical structures of the varieties under comparison, differences that may have remained hidden otherwise. To illustrate the approach, I focus on a single constraint, sentential polarity, and I analyze its effects on two sociolinguistic variables, yes/no questions and future temporal reference. Results show that the polarity constraint is operative in Laurentian French for both variables, but inoperative in Acadian French. To account for this difference, I argue that Laurentian French negative structures involve a negative head above the tense phrase while Acadian French does not.
Abstract
This paper integrates aspects of both generative theory and variationist sociolinguistics. To compare the structure of two varieties of French (Acadian French and Laurentian French), I adapt the comparative sociolinguistics approach to compare the syntactic structure of these varieties. Specifically, I focus on the effects of asinglelinguisticconstraint across multiple sociolinguistic variables. I argue that such a comparison provides insights into the underlying grammatical structures of the varieties under comparison, differences that may have remained hidden otherwise. To illustrate the approach, I focus on a single constraint, sentential polarity, and I analyze its effects on two sociolinguistic variables, yes/no questions and future temporal reference. Results show that the polarity constraint is operative in Laurentian French for both variables, but inoperative in Acadian French. To account for this difference, I argue that Laurentian French negative structures involve a negative head above the tense phrase while Acadian French does not.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Introduction vii
- Locating variation in the dative alternation 1
- An extension of the comparative sociolinguistics approach for sociosyntax 33
- Variant-centered variation and the like conspiracy 71
- Constant effects and the independence of variants in controlled judgment data 97
- Variation as a testing ground for grammatical theory 117
- The dynamics of variation in individuals 151
- Index of Languages and Varieties 189
- Subject index 191
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Introduction vii
- Locating variation in the dative alternation 1
- An extension of the comparative sociolinguistics approach for sociosyntax 33
- Variant-centered variation and the like conspiracy 71
- Constant effects and the independence of variants in controlled judgment data 97
- Variation as a testing ground for grammatical theory 117
- The dynamics of variation in individuals 151
- Index of Languages and Varieties 189
- Subject index 191
