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Chapter 18: Diffusion

  • David Britain
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Volume 5 Varieties of English
This chapter is in the book Volume 5 Varieties of English

Abstract

The diffusion of innovative linguistic forms is discussed at three levels. Firstly, the chapter deals with terminological issues. What is the difference between an innovation and a change? How do we (and, indeed, should we) distinguish between changes diffused because of speaker migration, and those spread because of everyday human contact? Secondly, the chapter considers the spread of features from one individual to another. Is it possible to socially locate those who diffuse linguistic changes? Here, we consider competing arguments concerning the embedding of diffusers in local social networks of different strengths and structures. Finally, the geographical diffusion of changes is examined. By what routes do changes spread from place A to B? In this section, the different models of innovation diffusion are compared and critiqued. Throughout, studies on Englishes past and present are used to exemplify the arguments, models, and critiques.

Abstract

The diffusion of innovative linguistic forms is discussed at three levels. Firstly, the chapter deals with terminological issues. What is the difference between an innovation and a change? How do we (and, indeed, should we) distinguish between changes diffused because of speaker migration, and those spread because of everyday human contact? Secondly, the chapter considers the spread of features from one individual to another. Is it possible to socially locate those who diffuse linguistic changes? Here, we consider competing arguments concerning the embedding of diffusers in local social networks of different strengths and structures. Finally, the geographical diffusion of changes is examined. By what routes do changes spread from place A to B? In this section, the different models of innovation diffusion are compared and critiqued. Throughout, studies on Englishes past and present are used to exemplify the arguments, models, and critiques.

Chapters in this book

  1. Frontmatter I
  2. Table of Contents V
  3. Abbreviations VII
  4. Chapter 1: Introduction 1
  5. Chapter 2: Standard American English 9
  6. Chapter 3: Regional varieties of American English 31
  7. Chapter 4: Canadian English in real-time perspective 53
  8. Chapter 5: Re-viewing the origins and history of African American Language 80
  9. Chapter 6: Standard British English 96
  10. Chapter 7: Regional varieties of British English 121
  11. Chapter 8: Received Pronunciation 151
  12. Chapter 9: Estuary English 169
  13. Chapter 10: Cockney 187
  14. Chapter 11: Celtic and Celtic Englishes 210
  15. Chapter 12: Scots 231
  16. Chapter 13: English in Ireland 244
  17. Chapter 14: English in Wales 265
  18. Chapter 15: Australian/New Zealand English 289
  19. Chapter 16: English in India 311
  20. Chapter 17: English in Africa – a diachronic typology 330
  21. Chapter 18: Diffusion 349
  22. Chapter 19: Supraregionalization 365
  23. Chapter 20: Pidgins and creoles 385
  24. Index 403
https://doi.org/10.1515/9783110525045-018

Chapters in this book

  1. Frontmatter I
  2. Table of Contents V
  3. Abbreviations VII
  4. Chapter 1: Introduction 1
  5. Chapter 2: Standard American English 9
  6. Chapter 3: Regional varieties of American English 31
  7. Chapter 4: Canadian English in real-time perspective 53
  8. Chapter 5: Re-viewing the origins and history of African American Language 80
  9. Chapter 6: Standard British English 96
  10. Chapter 7: Regional varieties of British English 121
  11. Chapter 8: Received Pronunciation 151
  12. Chapter 9: Estuary English 169
  13. Chapter 10: Cockney 187
  14. Chapter 11: Celtic and Celtic Englishes 210
  15. Chapter 12: Scots 231
  16. Chapter 13: English in Ireland 244
  17. Chapter 14: English in Wales 265
  18. Chapter 15: Australian/New Zealand English 289
  19. Chapter 16: English in India 311
  20. Chapter 17: English in Africa – a diachronic typology 330
  21. Chapter 18: Diffusion 349
  22. Chapter 19: Supraregionalization 365
  23. Chapter 20: Pidgins and creoles 385
  24. Index 403
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