California isolates
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Carmen Dagostino
Abstract
California is known for its linguistic diversity and the impact of longstanding language contact on genetic classification (Mithun 2010, 2012, 2017; Golla 2011; Haynie 2012). Although two hypothetical ancient linguistic groupings were proposed (Hokan and Penutian), several languages are still considered isolates. This chapter examines phoneme inventories, lexical affixing patterns, verbal number (pluractionality), and switch-reference in California isolates and non-isolates to identify a potential link between linguistic features and isolate status. Comparison of neighboring languages reveals that these linguistic features spread across genetic boundaries in geographically contiguous areas and should therefore be attributed to language contact rather than to isolate status. The comparison further illustrates that isolates are affected by language contact in the same way as non-isolates.
Abstract
California is known for its linguistic diversity and the impact of longstanding language contact on genetic classification (Mithun 2010, 2012, 2017; Golla 2011; Haynie 2012). Although two hypothetical ancient linguistic groupings were proposed (Hokan and Penutian), several languages are still considered isolates. This chapter examines phoneme inventories, lexical affixing patterns, verbal number (pluractionality), and switch-reference in California isolates and non-isolates to identify a potential link between linguistic features and isolate status. Comparison of neighboring languages reveals that these linguistic features spread across genetic boundaries in geographically contiguous areas and should therefore be attributed to language contact rather than to isolate status. The comparison further illustrates that isolates are affected by language contact in the same way as non-isolates.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Acknowledgements vii
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Part I. Setting the stage
- Introduction 2
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Part II. Typological features of isolates vs. non-isolates
- Is there a typological profile of isolates? 22
- The Amuric language family 48
- An Austronesian-type voice system in an Amazonian isolate? 71
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Part III. Recovering the histories of isolates
- Etymologies in a language isolate 104
- The Small Bang 142
- Combining disparate lines of evidence in the study of the history of language isolates, exemplified with Mochica from Northern Peru 176
- The Múra doculects and Múra-Pirahã historical linguistics 208
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Part IV. Isolates and language contact
- Baroque accretions and isolation 248
- California isolates 270
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Part V. Isolates and language documentation and classification
- One language or two? 306
- Subject index 335
- Language index 337
- Name index 339
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Acknowledgements vii
-
Part I. Setting the stage
- Introduction 2
-
Part II. Typological features of isolates vs. non-isolates
- Is there a typological profile of isolates? 22
- The Amuric language family 48
- An Austronesian-type voice system in an Amazonian isolate? 71
-
Part III. Recovering the histories of isolates
- Etymologies in a language isolate 104
- The Small Bang 142
- Combining disparate lines of evidence in the study of the history of language isolates, exemplified with Mochica from Northern Peru 176
- The Múra doculects and Múra-Pirahã historical linguistics 208
-
Part IV. Isolates and language contact
- Baroque accretions and isolation 248
- California isolates 270
-
Part V. Isolates and language documentation and classification
- One language or two? 306
- Subject index 335
- Language index 337
- Name index 339
