Variationist creolistics, with a phonological focus
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John R. Rickford
Abstract
John Singler is among a relatively small group of variationist creolists who have worked on phonological variation, which, although less of a research focus in creolistics than grammatical variation, can be illuminated by and illuminate quantitative and other systematic approaches to sociolinguistic variation and change. I illustrate this by introducing quantitative data on vowel laxing, h-deletion, and other phonological processes in the personal pronoun system of Guyanese Creole. In each case the quantitative data contribute to decisions about basic vs derived forms, and enrich our understanding of linguistic constraints and the sociolinguistic milieu (social class, gender, age and style) in which the variation is embedded. Phonological variation in pidgins and creoles can in turn enhance our understanding of larger theoretical issues within variation theory and creolistics.
Abstract
John Singler is among a relatively small group of variationist creolists who have worked on phonological variation, which, although less of a research focus in creolistics than grammatical variation, can be illuminated by and illuminate quantitative and other systematic approaches to sociolinguistic variation and change. I illustrate this by introducing quantitative data on vowel laxing, h-deletion, and other phonological processes in the personal pronoun system of Guyanese Creole. In each case the quantitative data contribute to decisions about basic vs derived forms, and enrich our understanding of linguistic constraints and the sociolinguistic milieu (social class, gender, age and style) in which the variation is embedded. Phonological variation in pidgins and creoles can in turn enhance our understanding of larger theoretical issues within variation theory and creolistics.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Acknowledgments vii
- Introduction 1
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Part 1. The sociohistorical matrix of language contact
- Population factors, multilingualism and the emergence of grammar 23
- The African diaspora in Latin America 49
- The sociohistorical matrix of creolization and the role children played in this process 79
- Creole as necessity? Creole as choice? 101
- Bahamian Creole English 123
- Linguistic commonality in English of the African diaspora 145
- Historical separations 177
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Part 2. Sources of grammar and processes of language contact
- Some observations on the sources of AAVE structure 203
- Unity in diversity 225
- Krio as the Western Maroon Creole language of Jamaica, and the /na/ isogloss 251
- Number marking in Jamaican Patwa 275
- Variationist creolistics, with a phonological focus 305
- Pidginization versus second language acquisition 323
- Crosslinguistic effects in adjectivization strategies in Suriname, Ghana and Togo 343
- Author index 363
- Language index 365
- Subject index 367
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Acknowledgments vii
- Introduction 1
-
Part 1. The sociohistorical matrix of language contact
- Population factors, multilingualism and the emergence of grammar 23
- The African diaspora in Latin America 49
- The sociohistorical matrix of creolization and the role children played in this process 79
- Creole as necessity? Creole as choice? 101
- Bahamian Creole English 123
- Linguistic commonality in English of the African diaspora 145
- Historical separations 177
-
Part 2. Sources of grammar and processes of language contact
- Some observations on the sources of AAVE structure 203
- Unity in diversity 225
- Krio as the Western Maroon Creole language of Jamaica, and the /na/ isogloss 251
- Number marking in Jamaican Patwa 275
- Variationist creolistics, with a phonological focus 305
- Pidginization versus second language acquisition 323
- Crosslinguistic effects in adjectivization strategies in Suriname, Ghana and Togo 343
- Author index 363
- Language index 365
- Subject index 367
