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On the borrowing of the English adversative connector but

  • Nicole Hober
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Susceptibility vs. Resistance
This chapter is in the book Susceptibility vs. Resistance

Abstract

This paper contributes to the ongoing study of function word borrowing in situations of language contact. Specifically, the borrowing of the English adversative connector but into the languages of the world is investigated. To categorize the ways in which English but is borrowed, the matter and pattern framework is adopted. I demonstrate that, in contrast to the wealth of attestation elsewhere, only a few languages have borrowed and integrated the English adversative connector. Consequently, I discuss a number of possible explanations for the limited evidence.

Abstract

This paper contributes to the ongoing study of function word borrowing in situations of language contact. Specifically, the borrowing of the English adversative connector but into the languages of the world is investigated. To categorize the ways in which English but is borrowed, the matter and pattern framework is adopted. I demonstrate that, in contrast to the wealth of attestation elsewhere, only a few languages have borrowed and integrated the English adversative connector. Consequently, I discuss a number of possible explanations for the limited evidence.

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