Prolegomena to a study of code-switching in Togo and its metapragmatic functions
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Andreas Jäger
Abstract
In order to provide a theoretical foundation for future fieldwork we survey multilingual practices of code-switching in present-day Togo in terms of associated metapragmatic functions and structural constraints. We explore different code-switching events and explore their potential as markers of social positioning for the purpose of showing how the study of code-switching may serve as a useful investigative tool to evaluate the asymmetry of prestige that obtains between the many languages spoken in Togo today. We suggest that an analysis of code-switching events and their social significance may help to assess the current role of the majority language Ewe, which we characterize as a secondary colonial language, as well as the current status of French and German as primary colonial languages.
Abstract
In order to provide a theoretical foundation for future fieldwork we survey multilingual practices of code-switching in present-day Togo in terms of associated metapragmatic functions and structural constraints. We explore different code-switching events and explore their potential as markers of social positioning for the purpose of showing how the study of code-switching may serve as a useful investigative tool to evaluate the asymmetry of prestige that obtains between the many languages spoken in Togo today. We suggest that an analysis of code-switching events and their social significance may help to assess the current role of the majority language Ewe, which we characterize as a secondary colonial language, as well as the current status of French and German as primary colonial languages.
Chapters in this book
- Frontmatter I
- Preface V
- Contents IX
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Part I
- Differential impact of colonial languages on written languages 3
- Contact in World Englishes at the nexus of language and culture 91
- Far beyond the Caucasus 111
- Scenarios of Basque Language Contact 145
- The relevance of origin 165
- On the morphosyntax of place names vs. common nouns in pidgins and creoles 195
- Places, manners, and the areal phonology of Europe 249
- Travellers in time and space 327
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Part II
- The city as multilingual utopia 369
- Fluid registers and fixed language concepts in postcolonial spaces 439
- Prolegomena to a study of code-switching in Togo and its metapragmatic functions 477
- Index of Authors 513
- Index of Languages, Language Families, and Linguistic Areas 521
- Index of Subjects 527
Chapters in this book
- Frontmatter I
- Preface V
- Contents IX
-
Part I
- Differential impact of colonial languages on written languages 3
- Contact in World Englishes at the nexus of language and culture 91
- Far beyond the Caucasus 111
- Scenarios of Basque Language Contact 145
- The relevance of origin 165
- On the morphosyntax of place names vs. common nouns in pidgins and creoles 195
- Places, manners, and the areal phonology of Europe 249
- Travellers in time and space 327
-
Part II
- The city as multilingual utopia 369
- Fluid registers and fixed language concepts in postcolonial spaces 439
- Prolegomena to a study of code-switching in Togo and its metapragmatic functions 477
- Index of Authors 513
- Index of Languages, Language Families, and Linguistic Areas 521
- Index of Subjects 527
