Chapter 6. How are linguistic changes in the 20th century to be studied?
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Salvador Pons Bordería
Abstract
This paper analyzes the diffusion of linguistic change through a case study focusing on the adoption of tío as a vocative and discourse marker in the 1970s and 1980s. Two strands of research are used to explain this case: Firstly, Labov’s (2010) theory of diffusion in linguistic change is used to provide essential insights about the groups of speakers who initiate and promote such changes. Second, philological information is considered, encompassing factors beyond groups of speakers: the linguistic features of the constructions involved in a change, the historical context in which the change occurred, the associated social practices, the influence of specific locations (cities, neighborhoods), and also the impact of influential individuals in promoting one linguistic solution over another. It is only when both sets of information are brought together that the necessary and sufficient information about linguistic change can be achieved. The 20th century proves particularly suitable for conducting this type of research.
Abstract
This paper analyzes the diffusion of linguistic change through a case study focusing on the adoption of tío as a vocative and discourse marker in the 1970s and 1980s. Two strands of research are used to explain this case: Firstly, Labov’s (2010) theory of diffusion in linguistic change is used to provide essential insights about the groups of speakers who initiate and promote such changes. Second, philological information is considered, encompassing factors beyond groups of speakers: the linguistic features of the constructions involved in a change, the historical context in which the change occurred, the associated social practices, the influence of specific locations (cities, neighborhoods), and also the impact of influential individuals in promoting one linguistic solution over another. It is only when both sets of information are brought together that the necessary and sufficient information about linguistic change can be achieved. The 20th century proves particularly suitable for conducting this type of research.
Chapters in this book
- 日本言語政策学会 / Japan Association for Language Policy. 言語政策 / Language Policy 10. 2014 i
- Table of contents v
- From synchrony to diachrony 1
- Chapter 1. Linguistic change in the 20th century 17
- Chapter 2. The apparent-time construct as a proxy to spoken conversational data in the 20th century 63
- Chapter 3. Cultural products, passing fashions, and linguistic changes 95
- Chapter 4. Diatopic variation as evidence for diachronic changes in the 20th and 21st centuries 120
- Chapter 5. Social indexicality and pragmatic change in the late 20th century 158
- Chapter 6. How are linguistic changes in the 20th century to be studied? 188
- Chapter 7. Bestial and warm addressing forms in Mexican Spanish 218
- Chapter 8. French j’imagine , Spanish me imagino 240
- Chapter 9. Constructional changes in Brazilian Portuguese in the 20th century 261
- Index 291
Chapters in this book
- 日本言語政策学会 / Japan Association for Language Policy. 言語政策 / Language Policy 10. 2014 i
- Table of contents v
- From synchrony to diachrony 1
- Chapter 1. Linguistic change in the 20th century 17
- Chapter 2. The apparent-time construct as a proxy to spoken conversational data in the 20th century 63
- Chapter 3. Cultural products, passing fashions, and linguistic changes 95
- Chapter 4. Diatopic variation as evidence for diachronic changes in the 20th and 21st centuries 120
- Chapter 5. Social indexicality and pragmatic change in the late 20th century 158
- Chapter 6. How are linguistic changes in the 20th century to be studied? 188
- Chapter 7. Bestial and warm addressing forms in Mexican Spanish 218
- Chapter 8. French j’imagine , Spanish me imagino 240
- Chapter 9. Constructional changes in Brazilian Portuguese in the 20th century 261
- Index 291
