Language contact and word structure
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Alexandra Y. Aikhenvald
Abstract
Intensive language contact between genetically unrelated languages may result in their structural adjustment to each other. The languages will then converge and become similar in their grammar. The effects of language contact are expected to be particularly strong if a dominant language is in the process of ousting the endangered one spoken by a minority group. Tariana, a highly endangered Arawak language, is under pressure from Tucano, an East Tucanoan language. Tucano is the majority indigenous language within the context of the Brazilian part of the Vaupés River Basin Linguistic area. The recent Tucanoan impact on Tariana, a highly synthetic language, involves typologically unusual changes in the order of morphemes within the verbal word, and are indicative of extreme convergence between the two languages.
Abstract
Intensive language contact between genetically unrelated languages may result in their structural adjustment to each other. The languages will then converge and become similar in their grammar. The effects of language contact are expected to be particularly strong if a dominant language is in the process of ousting the endangered one spoken by a minority group. Tariana, a highly endangered Arawak language, is under pressure from Tucano, an East Tucanoan language. Tucano is the majority indigenous language within the context of the Brazilian part of the Vaupés River Basin Linguistic area. The recent Tucanoan impact on Tariana, a highly synthetic language, involves typologically unusual changes in the order of morphemes within the verbal word, and are indicative of extreme convergence between the two languages.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Foreword vii
- Language contact and change in the Americas 1
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Part I North America: California
- Yuki, Pomoan, Wintun, and Athabaskan 17
- The role of passives in the formation of hierarchical systems in Northern California 33
- Assessing the effects of language contact on Northeastern Pomo 67
- Synchronic and diachronic accounts of phonological features in Central Chumash languages 91
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Part II North America: Athabaskan, Iroquoian, and Uto-Aztecan
- Contact and semantic shift in extreme language endangerment 107
- “Excorporation” in a Dene (Athabaskan) language 139
- Contact and change in Oneida 167
- Huron/Wendat interactions with the Seneca language 189
- The usual suspects 219
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Part III Northern Mexico, Mesoamerica, and South America
- Language documentation and historical linguistics 249
- The Jakaltek Popti’ noun classifier system 273
- Language contact and word structure 297
- Auxiliation and typological shift 315
- Discourse pattern replication in South Conchucos Quechua and Andean Spanish 339
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Part IV The Americas and beyond
- Measuring language typicality, with special reference to the Americas 365
- Words for ‘dog’ as a diagnostic of language contact in the Americas 385
- Index 411
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Foreword vii
- Language contact and change in the Americas 1
-
Part I North America: California
- Yuki, Pomoan, Wintun, and Athabaskan 17
- The role of passives in the formation of hierarchical systems in Northern California 33
- Assessing the effects of language contact on Northeastern Pomo 67
- Synchronic and diachronic accounts of phonological features in Central Chumash languages 91
-
Part II North America: Athabaskan, Iroquoian, and Uto-Aztecan
- Contact and semantic shift in extreme language endangerment 107
- “Excorporation” in a Dene (Athabaskan) language 139
- Contact and change in Oneida 167
- Huron/Wendat interactions with the Seneca language 189
- The usual suspects 219
-
Part III Northern Mexico, Mesoamerica, and South America
- Language documentation and historical linguistics 249
- The Jakaltek Popti’ noun classifier system 273
- Language contact and word structure 297
- Auxiliation and typological shift 315
- Discourse pattern replication in South Conchucos Quechua and Andean Spanish 339
-
Part IV The Americas and beyond
- Measuring language typicality, with special reference to the Americas 365
- Words for ‘dog’ as a diagnostic of language contact in the Americas 385
- Index 411
