Diachronic convergence and divergence in differential object marking between Spanish and Portuguese
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Hans-Jörg Döhla
Abstract
Comparing the evolution of differential object marking (DOM) in Spanish and Portuguese between the 16th and the 20th c. we discover great differences between the two neighbor languages. Whereas in Spanish we notice a steady increase and high degree of grammaticalization of DOM, the graph for the degree of grammaticalization of DOM in Portuguese resembles a standardized normal Gaussian distribution with its peak in the 17th c. The increase of object marking until the 17th c. is in consequence of convergence towards Spanish due to the high prestige of the latter language. From the 18th c. onwards divergence due to the building of an own national and linguistic identity finally led to the disappearance of DOM in modern Portuguese.
Abstract
Comparing the evolution of differential object marking (DOM) in Spanish and Portuguese between the 16th and the 20th c. we discover great differences between the two neighbor languages. Whereas in Spanish we notice a steady increase and high degree of grammaticalization of DOM, the graph for the degree of grammaticalization of DOM in Portuguese resembles a standardized normal Gaussian distribution with its peak in the 17th c. The increase of object marking until the 17th c. is in consequence of convergence towards Spanish due to the high prestige of the latter language. From the 18th c. onwards divergence due to the building of an own national and linguistic identity finally led to the disappearance of DOM in modern Portuguese.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Introduction 1
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Part I: Theoretical aspects
- Linguistic stability and divergence 13
- Convergence vs. divergence from a diasystematic perspective 39
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Part II: Empirical studies
- Stability and convergence in case marking 63
- Towards a typological classification of Judeo-Spanish 77
- Despite or because of intensive contact? 109
- Stability in Chinese and Malay heritage languages as a source of divergence 141
- Does convergence generate stability? 163
- Gender and noun inflection 179
- Dialect stability and divergence in southern Spain 207
- The Bergen dialect splits in two 239
- Diachronic convergence and divergence in differential object marking between Spanish and Portuguese 265
- Person index 291
- Subject index 295
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Introduction 1
-
Part I: Theoretical aspects
- Linguistic stability and divergence 13
- Convergence vs. divergence from a diasystematic perspective 39
-
Part II: Empirical studies
- Stability and convergence in case marking 63
- Towards a typological classification of Judeo-Spanish 77
- Despite or because of intensive contact? 109
- Stability in Chinese and Malay heritage languages as a source of divergence 141
- Does convergence generate stability? 163
- Gender and noun inflection 179
- Dialect stability and divergence in southern Spain 207
- The Bergen dialect splits in two 239
- Diachronic convergence and divergence in differential object marking between Spanish and Portuguese 265
- Person index 291
- Subject index 295
