Inherent variability and coexistent systems
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James A. Walker
Abstract
The robust linguistic variation observed on the island of Bequia (St. Vincent and the Grenadines) raises the question of whether there is a single variable linguistic system or multiple systems. We examine the distribution and conditioning of variable negation (na, ain’t or not/-n’t) in three communities distinguished by ethnicity and socioeconomic history using variable rule analysis. The variant na is restricted to one community and is conditioned by co-occurrence constraints, while ain’t is conditioned by auxiliary context and temporal reference, which serve to distinguish between communities. Thus, although there is variation between communities and speakers, there is also evidence for overlapping but discrete and coexistent systems. These results underline the importance of examining the distribution and conditioning of all features implicated in the linguistic system.
Abstract
The robust linguistic variation observed on the island of Bequia (St. Vincent and the Grenadines) raises the question of whether there is a single variable linguistic system or multiple systems. We examine the distribution and conditioning of variable negation (na, ain’t or not/-n’t) in three communities distinguished by ethnicity and socioeconomic history using variable rule analysis. The variant na is restricted to one community and is conditioned by co-occurrence constraints, while ain’t is conditioned by auxiliary context and temporal reference, which serve to distinguish between communities. Thus, although there is variation between communities and speakers, there is also evidence for overlapping but discrete and coexistent systems. These results underline the importance of examining the distribution and conditioning of all features implicated in the linguistic system.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Introduction 1
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Part I. Variation and linguistic systems
- Revisiting variation between sa and o in Sranan 13
- Inherent variability and coexistent systems 39
- Putting individuals back in contact 57
- Relative markers in spoken Standard Jamaican English 79
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Part II. Variation and identity
- “Flying at half-mast”? Voices, genres, and orthographies in Barbadian Creole* 107
- The creole continuum and individual agency 133
- Language attitudes and linguistic awareness in Jamaican English 163
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Part III. Variation and the community
- The varilingual repertoire of Tobagonian speakers 191
- On the emergence of new language varieties 207
- ‘Creole’ and youth language in a British inner-city community 231
- Le Page’s theoretical and applied legacy in sociolinguistics and creole studies 251
- Name index 273
- Subject index 275
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Introduction 1
-
Part I. Variation and linguistic systems
- Revisiting variation between sa and o in Sranan 13
- Inherent variability and coexistent systems 39
- Putting individuals back in contact 57
- Relative markers in spoken Standard Jamaican English 79
-
Part II. Variation and identity
- “Flying at half-mast”? Voices, genres, and orthographies in Barbadian Creole* 107
- The creole continuum and individual agency 133
- Language attitudes and linguistic awareness in Jamaican English 163
-
Part III. Variation and the community
- The varilingual repertoire of Tobagonian speakers 191
- On the emergence of new language varieties 207
- ‘Creole’ and youth language in a British inner-city community 231
- Le Page’s theoretical and applied legacy in sociolinguistics and creole studies 251
- Name index 273
- Subject index 275
