John Benjamins Publishing Company
Prosodic skewing of input and the initiation of cross-generational sound change
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Abstract
This paper addresses a proposal about how the seeds of sound change are planted during cross-generational transmission in the particular case of persevering vocalic chain shifts, that is, changes that appear to span many generations. Specifically, we explore the idea that the realization of vowels during child-directed speech may set up young learners to construct their own vowel space in slightly but consistently different ways from those of their caretakers, a process we call ‘prosodic skewing’. If this view is correct, it reveals a particular way that social and structural factors interact in sound change, where cultural norms (how caretakers talk to children) systematically bias the structural input to learners. We draw evidence from a cross-generational study of three American dialects where vocalic chain shifts are believed to be underway.
Abstract
This paper addresses a proposal about how the seeds of sound change are planted during cross-generational transmission in the particular case of persevering vocalic chain shifts, that is, changes that appear to span many generations. Specifically, we explore the idea that the realization of vowels during child-directed speech may set up young learners to construct their own vowel space in slightly but consistently different ways from those of their caretakers, a process we call ‘prosodic skewing’. If this view is correct, it reveals a particular way that social and structural factors interact in sound change, where cultural norms (how caretakers talk to children) systematically bias the structural input to learners. We draw evidence from a cross-generational study of three American dialects where vocalic chain shifts are believed to be underway.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Foreword and acknowledgements vii
- List of contributors and discussion participants ix
- Editors’ introduction 1
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Part I. Perception
- The listener as a source of sound change 21
- Perception grammars and sound change 37
- A phonetic interpretation of the sound changes affecting dark /l/ in Romance 57
- The production and perception of sub-phonemic vowel contrasts and the role of the listener in sound change 77
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Part II. Production
- The coarticulatory basis of diachronic high back vowel fronting 103
- Natural and unnatural patterns of sound change? 123
- The gaits of speech 147
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Part III. Social factors, structural factors and the typology of change
- Prosodic skewing of input and the initiation of cross-generational sound change 167
- Social and personality variables in compensation for altered auditory feedback 185
- Patterns of lexical diffusion and articulatory motivation for sound change 211
- Foundational concepts in the scientific study of sound change 235
- Index of subjects and terms 247
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Foreword and acknowledgements vii
- List of contributors and discussion participants ix
- Editors’ introduction 1
-
Part I. Perception
- The listener as a source of sound change 21
- Perception grammars and sound change 37
- A phonetic interpretation of the sound changes affecting dark /l/ in Romance 57
- The production and perception of sub-phonemic vowel contrasts and the role of the listener in sound change 77
-
Part II. Production
- The coarticulatory basis of diachronic high back vowel fronting 103
- Natural and unnatural patterns of sound change? 123
- The gaits of speech 147
-
Part III. Social factors, structural factors and the typology of change
- Prosodic skewing of input and the initiation of cross-generational sound change 167
- Social and personality variables in compensation for altered auditory feedback 185
- Patterns of lexical diffusion and articulatory motivation for sound change 211
- Foundational concepts in the scientific study of sound change 235
- Index of subjects and terms 247
