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Chapter 15. On the (in-)stability of Frisian

  • Germen J. de Haan
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Studies in West Frisian Grammar
This chapter is in the book Studies in West Frisian Grammar

Abstract

Gorter & Jonkman (1995) is a presentation of the results of a large-scale survey of the position of the Frisian language in Fryslân. Their general conclusion is that the position of the Frisian language is one of stability in as far as profinciency, use and attitudes are concerned. In this paper we strongly criticize this conclusion for being partly based on unclear questions, on an implausible interpretation of the quantitative data, and for being in conflict with other research results, and neglecting developments in the linguistic properties of Frisian. Our counterconclusion is that there is ample evidence showing that Gorter and Jonkman’s view on the position of Frisian is too optimistic. Furthermore we argue that their survey indicates that Frisian functions mainly as an informal, spoken language for the (great) majority of speakers. The language situation in Fryslân can not be described as diglossic however, since Frisian and Dutch are not in complementary use, and the social status of Frisian cannot considered to be low. Finally we claim that the scientific relevance of Gorter & Jonkman (1995) is rather marginal, due to the fact that the results of the survey are not discussed within a context of scientific debate.

Abstract

Gorter & Jonkman (1995) is a presentation of the results of a large-scale survey of the position of the Frisian language in Fryslân. Their general conclusion is that the position of the Frisian language is one of stability in as far as profinciency, use and attitudes are concerned. In this paper we strongly criticize this conclusion for being partly based on unclear questions, on an implausible interpretation of the quantitative data, and for being in conflict with other research results, and neglecting developments in the linguistic properties of Frisian. Our counterconclusion is that there is ample evidence showing that Gorter and Jonkman’s view on the position of Frisian is too optimistic. Furthermore we argue that their survey indicates that Frisian functions mainly as an informal, spoken language for the (great) majority of speakers. The language situation in Fryslân can not be described as diglossic however, since Frisian and Dutch are not in complementary use, and the social status of Frisian cannot considered to be low. Finally we claim that the scientific relevance of Gorter & Jonkman (1995) is rather marginal, due to the fact that the results of the survey are not discussed within a context of scientific debate.

Chapters in this book

  1. Prelim pages i
  2. Table of contents v
  3. Introduction 1
  4. Chapter 1. Recent trends in Frisian linguistics 11
  5. Chapter 2. Why Old Frisian is really Middle Frisian 25
  6. Chapter 3. Syntax of Old Frisian 47
  7. Chapter 4. Finiteness and verb fronting 63
  8. Chapter 5. More is going on upstairs than downstairs 99
  9. Chapter 6. The Imperativus-pro-Infinitivo 131
  10. Chapter 7. Two infinitives 153
  11. Chapter 8. The verbal complex 165
  12. Chapter 9. The third construction 199
  13. Chapter 10. Complementizer agreement 215
  14. Chapter 11. Grammatical borrowing and language change 233
  15. Chapter 12. Frisian language changes 251
  16. Chapter 13. Recent changes in the verbal complex of Frisian 265
  17. Chapter 14. Contact-induced changes in Modern West Frisian 275
  18. Chapter 15. On the (in-)stability of Frisian 301
  19. Chapter 16. Nasalization and lengthening 317
  20. Chapter 17. Monophthongs and syllable structure 331
  21. Chapter 18. A lexical theory of schwa-deletion 341
  22. References 357
  23. Acknowledgements 379
  24. Index 381
https://doi.org/10.1075/la.161.15ont

Chapters in this book

  1. Prelim pages i
  2. Table of contents v
  3. Introduction 1
  4. Chapter 1. Recent trends in Frisian linguistics 11
  5. Chapter 2. Why Old Frisian is really Middle Frisian 25
  6. Chapter 3. Syntax of Old Frisian 47
  7. Chapter 4. Finiteness and verb fronting 63
  8. Chapter 5. More is going on upstairs than downstairs 99
  9. Chapter 6. The Imperativus-pro-Infinitivo 131
  10. Chapter 7. Two infinitives 153
  11. Chapter 8. The verbal complex 165
  12. Chapter 9. The third construction 199
  13. Chapter 10. Complementizer agreement 215
  14. Chapter 11. Grammatical borrowing and language change 233
  15. Chapter 12. Frisian language changes 251
  16. Chapter 13. Recent changes in the verbal complex of Frisian 265
  17. Chapter 14. Contact-induced changes in Modern West Frisian 275
  18. Chapter 15. On the (in-)stability of Frisian 301
  19. Chapter 16. Nasalization and lengthening 317
  20. Chapter 17. Monophthongs and syllable structure 331
  21. Chapter 18. A lexical theory of schwa-deletion 341
  22. References 357
  23. Acknowledgements 379
  24. Index 381
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