Written sources for Canadian English
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Stefan Dollinger
Abstract
The study of Canadian English has, for the most part, relied on synchronic data and description. Via the apparent-time method and earlier linguistic studies, evidence is available for the most part of the twentieth century. This paper provides possible pathways towards examining pre-twentieth century evidence for Canadian English. Using principles of sociohistorical research, the paper offers an outline of how to make the best use of existing data by combining evidence from both literary and authentic written sources. As a test case, central focus is given to the reconstruction of a pivotal Canadian feature, the low-back vowel merger. Texts are used, in conjunction with secondary materials, such as Canadian informants in linguistic atlas data, accounts of settlement history and anecdotal evidence, to show the possibilities and limitations of written evidence in historical phonetics and phonology. As a test case, the approach, which is complemented by a rudimentary sketch of sources across the country, is intended to be easily transferrable to other linguistic levels.
Abstract
The study of Canadian English has, for the most part, relied on synchronic data and description. Via the apparent-time method and earlier linguistic studies, evidence is available for the most part of the twentieth century. This paper provides possible pathways towards examining pre-twentieth century evidence for Canadian English. Using principles of sociohistorical research, the paper offers an outline of how to make the best use of existing data by combining evidence from both literary and authentic written sources. As a test case, central focus is given to the reconstruction of a pivotal Canadian feature, the low-back vowel merger. Texts are used, in conjunction with secondary materials, such as Canadian informants in linguistic atlas data, accounts of settlement history and anecdotal evidence, to show the possibilities and limitations of written evidence in historical phonetics and phonology. As a test case, the approach, which is complemented by a rudimentary sketch of sources across the country, is intended to be easily transferrable to other linguistic levels.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Preface vii
- List of contributors ix
- Linguistic evaluation of earlier texts 1
- Non-standard language in earlier English 15
- Assessing non-standard writing in lexicography 43
- Northern English in Writing 61
- Southern English in writing 81
- The distinctiveness of Scots 99
- Irish English in early modern drama 121
- ‘ [H]ushed and lulled full chimes for pushed and pulled ’ 139
- Dialect literature and English in the USA 163
- Written sources for Canadian English 197
- Earlier Caribbean English and Creole in writing 223
- Earliest St Helenian English in writing 245
- An abundant harvest to the philologer’? 263
- A peculiar language’ 295
- Describing and complaining 349
- Feature index 365
- Name index 367
- Subject index 371
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Preface vii
- List of contributors ix
- Linguistic evaluation of earlier texts 1
- Non-standard language in earlier English 15
- Assessing non-standard writing in lexicography 43
- Northern English in Writing 61
- Southern English in writing 81
- The distinctiveness of Scots 99
- Irish English in early modern drama 121
- ‘ [H]ushed and lulled full chimes for pushed and pulled ’ 139
- Dialect literature and English in the USA 163
- Written sources for Canadian English 197
- Earlier Caribbean English and Creole in writing 223
- Earliest St Helenian English in writing 245
- An abundant harvest to the philologer’? 263
- A peculiar language’ 295
- Describing and complaining 349
- Feature index 365
- Name index 367
- Subject index 371
