Chapter 5 Linguistic reconstruction and creole emergence: The case of Upper Guinea creoles
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Chiara Truppi
Abstract
The present chapter aims to discuss a combined methodology for linguistic reconstruction and to participate in the debate on the mechanisms involved in creole emergence. In particular, we will reconstruct the emergence of the paradigm of copulas (copularisation) in a group of Portuguese-related Atlantic creoles, i.e., Upper Guinea creoles, consisting of Capeverdean, (Bissau-)Guinean, and Casamancese. These creoles are said to share a common ancestor, i.e., a proto-creole. The reconstruction of the copular system of the proto-creole will be carried out on the basis of the comparison of synchronic data from these languages, also taking into account data from 19th-century sources. Insights from research on second language acquisition, grammaticalisation studies, and substrate, adstrate and areal influences will integrate our methodology. In doing so, this chapter will propose a combined strategy for the reconstruction of the proto-creole and will contribute to the debate on Upper Guinea creole emergence and, more broadly, language emergence.
Abstract
The present chapter aims to discuss a combined methodology for linguistic reconstruction and to participate in the debate on the mechanisms involved in creole emergence. In particular, we will reconstruct the emergence of the paradigm of copulas (copularisation) in a group of Portuguese-related Atlantic creoles, i.e., Upper Guinea creoles, consisting of Capeverdean, (Bissau-)Guinean, and Casamancese. These creoles are said to share a common ancestor, i.e., a proto-creole. The reconstruction of the copular system of the proto-creole will be carried out on the basis of the comparison of synchronic data from these languages, also taking into account data from 19th-century sources. Insights from research on second language acquisition, grammaticalisation studies, and substrate, adstrate and areal influences will integrate our methodology. In doing so, this chapter will propose a combined strategy for the reconstruction of the proto-creole and will contribute to the debate on Upper Guinea creole emergence and, more broadly, language emergence.
Chapters in this book
- Frontmatter I
- Contents V
- Chapter 1 Introduction: Contact-related variation and change – crossing the boundaries within and between languages 1
- Chapter 2 Language contact and language attrition: Processes and constellations 39
- Chapter 3 Two modes of contact-induced change in minority languages: Phonology and syntax vs. inflectional morphology 65
- Chapter 4 Variation and change in comparative structures as an interaction of language internal and language external factors: Evidence from Asia Minor Greek 93
- Chapter 5 Linguistic reconstruction and creole emergence: The case of Upper Guinea creoles 119
- Chapter 6 Language contact and expressives in Italian 149
- Chapter 7 Digital code play as a sign of the multicompetent self in the internet discourse of Russian speakers in Italy 169
- Chapter 8 Sociolinguistic typology and language contact in Northern Italy 199
- Chapter 9 Dialect contact and koineization in Italy 225
- Chapter 10 Sociolinguistic norms on the usage of Italian within refugee centres in Italy 255
- Subject index 275
Chapters in this book
- Frontmatter I
- Contents V
- Chapter 1 Introduction: Contact-related variation and change – crossing the boundaries within and between languages 1
- Chapter 2 Language contact and language attrition: Processes and constellations 39
- Chapter 3 Two modes of contact-induced change in minority languages: Phonology and syntax vs. inflectional morphology 65
- Chapter 4 Variation and change in comparative structures as an interaction of language internal and language external factors: Evidence from Asia Minor Greek 93
- Chapter 5 Linguistic reconstruction and creole emergence: The case of Upper Guinea creoles 119
- Chapter 6 Language contact and expressives in Italian 149
- Chapter 7 Digital code play as a sign of the multicompetent self in the internet discourse of Russian speakers in Italy 169
- Chapter 8 Sociolinguistic typology and language contact in Northern Italy 199
- Chapter 9 Dialect contact and koineization in Italy 225
- Chapter 10 Sociolinguistic norms on the usage of Italian within refugee centres in Italy 255
- Subject index 275
