Gradualism in the transfer of tone spread rules in Saramaccan
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Marvin Kramer
Abstract
High tone spreads rightward in certain serial verb constructions in Saramaccan, parallel to the rightward spread of high tone in Fongbe, suggesting transfer. Saramaccan rightward spread contrasts with the default leftward spread, suggesting the independent transfer of serial verb constructions. Rightward spread overrides the default leftward spread. High tone spread for quantifiers in Saramaccan contrasts with serial verb and default rules, and resembles tonal phenomena in Kikongo quantifier phrases, again suggesting independent transfer. The quantifier tone spread rules override both the serial verb and the default tone spread rules. Particular tone spread rules for different syntactic domains imply incorporation of those rules at different times, which is supported by demographic data where a period well into the formation of Saramaccan is followed by a period of dominance by Fongbe and then Kikongo speakers.
Abstract
High tone spreads rightward in certain serial verb constructions in Saramaccan, parallel to the rightward spread of high tone in Fongbe, suggesting transfer. Saramaccan rightward spread contrasts with the default leftward spread, suggesting the independent transfer of serial verb constructions. Rightward spread overrides the default leftward spread. High tone spread for quantifiers in Saramaccan contrasts with serial verb and default rules, and resembles tonal phenomena in Kikongo quantifier phrases, again suggesting independent transfer. The quantifier tone spread rules override both the serial verb and the default tone spread rules. Particular tone spread rules for different syntactic domains imply incorporation of those rules at different times, which is supported by demographic data where a period well into the formation of Saramaccan is followed by a period of dominance by Fongbe and then Kikongo speakers.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Maps ix
-
Introductory words
- One more cup of coffee: On Gradual Creolization 3
- Jacques Arends' model of gradual creolization 13
-
Part 1. Linguistic analysis
- Productive bimorphemic structures and the concept of gradual creolization 27
- Gradual vs. abrupt creolization and recent changes in Daman Creole Portuguese 55
- Gradual restructuring in Ecuadorian Quechua 77
- A note on the process of lexical diffusion in the development of creoles: The case of double-object verbs 101
- Change in the possessive system of French Caribbean Creole languages 113
- The origin and development of possibility in the creoles of Suriname 129
- The Saramaccan lexicon: Verbs 155
- Development of a creole lexicon 173
- Gradualism in the transfer of tone spread rules in Saramaccan 189
- In search of a submerged phonology: The case of early Cape Dutch Pidgin 219
-
Part 2. Sociohistorical reconstruction
- Bilingualism and creolization in Solomon Islands 245
- Lingua Franca in West Africa? An evaluation of the sociohistorical and metalinguistic evidence 257
- The formation of the Portuguese-based Creoles: Gradual or abrupt? 279
- English-speaking in early Surinam? 305
- The demographic context of creolization in early English Jamaica, 1655-1700 327
- The founder principle and Anguilla's homestead society 349
- Demographic factors in the formation of French Guianese Creole 373
- Index 389
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Maps ix
-
Introductory words
- One more cup of coffee: On Gradual Creolization 3
- Jacques Arends' model of gradual creolization 13
-
Part 1. Linguistic analysis
- Productive bimorphemic structures and the concept of gradual creolization 27
- Gradual vs. abrupt creolization and recent changes in Daman Creole Portuguese 55
- Gradual restructuring in Ecuadorian Quechua 77
- A note on the process of lexical diffusion in the development of creoles: The case of double-object verbs 101
- Change in the possessive system of French Caribbean Creole languages 113
- The origin and development of possibility in the creoles of Suriname 129
- The Saramaccan lexicon: Verbs 155
- Development of a creole lexicon 173
- Gradualism in the transfer of tone spread rules in Saramaccan 189
- In search of a submerged phonology: The case of early Cape Dutch Pidgin 219
-
Part 2. Sociohistorical reconstruction
- Bilingualism and creolization in Solomon Islands 245
- Lingua Franca in West Africa? An evaluation of the sociohistorical and metalinguistic evidence 257
- The formation of the Portuguese-based Creoles: Gradual or abrupt? 279
- English-speaking in early Surinam? 305
- The demographic context of creolization in early English Jamaica, 1655-1700 327
- The founder principle and Anguilla's homestead society 349
- Demographic factors in the formation of French Guianese Creole 373
- Index 389
