Overview

Recent developments in contact linguistics suggest considerable overlap of branches such as historical linguistics, variationist sociolinguistics, pidgin/creole linguistics, language acquisition, etc. This book highlights the complexity of contact-induced language change throughout the history of English by bringing together cutting-edge research from these fields. Special focus is on recent debates surrounding substratal influence in earlier forms of English (particularly Celtic influence in Old English), on language shift processes (the formation of Irish and overseas varieties) but also on dialects in contact, the contact origins of Standard English, the notion of new epicentres in World English, the role of children and adults in language change as well as transfer and language learning. With contributions from leading experts, the book offers fresh and exciting perspectives for research and is at the same time an up-to-date overview of the state of the art in the respective fields.

Full Product Details

Author:   Daniel Schreier (Universität Zürich) ,  Marianne Hundt (Universität Zürich)
Publisher:   Cambridge University Press
Imprint:   Cambridge University Press
Dimensions:   Width: 15.20cm , Height: 2.40cm , Length: 22.90cm
Weight:   0.710kg
ISBN:  

9781107001961

ISBN 10:   110700196
Pages:   406
Publication Date:   17 January 2013
Audience:   Professional and scholarly ,  Professional & Vocational
Format:   Hardback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   Manufactured on demand  
We will order this item for you from a manufactured on demand supplier.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction: nothing but a contact language … Marianne Hundt and Daniel Schreier; 2. The role of contact in English syntactic change in the Old and Middle English periods Olga Fischer; 3. Multilingualism and code-switching as mechanisms of contact-induced lexical change in late Middle English Herbert Schendl; 4. The contact origins of Standard English Laura Wright; 5. English as a contact language in the British Isles Juhani Klemola; 6. English as a contact language in Ireland and Scotland Raymond Hickey; 7. The contact dynamics of socioethnic varieties in North America Walt Wolfram; 8. English as a contact language: the 'New Englishes' Edgar W. Schneider; 9. English as a contact language: lesser-known varieties Daniel Schreier; 10. The role of mundane mobility and contact in dialect death and dialect birth David Britain; 11. The diversification of English: old, new and emerging epicenters Marianne Hundt; 12. Driving forces in English contact linguistics Salikoko S. Mufwene; 13. Substrate influence and universals in the emergence of contact Englishes: reevaluating the evidence Donald Winford; 14. Transfer and contact in migrant and multiethnic communities: the conversational historical be + -ing present in South African Indian English Rajend Mesthrie; 15. English as a contact language: the role of children and adolescents Paul Kerswill, Jenny Cheshire, Sue Fox and Eivind Torgersen; 16. Innovation and contact: the role of adults (and children) Sarah G. Thomason; 17. Accelerator or inhibitor? On the role of substrate influence in interlanguage development Terence Odlin; 18. Speculating on the future of English as a contact language Christian Mair.

Reviews

'This multifaceted volume demonstrates the important role of language contact and dialect contact in the development of English and its many current varieties, providing new insights into questions of who were the agents of change and what were the processes involved. The list of authors of the eighteen chapters reads like a who's who in contact linguistics and the history of English. Highly recommended reading for anyone interested in these areas.' Jeff Siegel, University of New England, Australia

Advance praise: 'This multifaceted volume demonstrates the important role of language contact and dialect contact in the development of English and its many current varieties, providing new insights into questions of who were the agents of change and what were the processes involved. The list of authors of the eighteen chapters reads like a who's who in contact linguistics and the history of English. Highly recommended reading for anyone interested in these areas.' Jeff Siegel, University of New England, Australia

'This multifaceted volume demonstrates the important role of language contact and dialect contact in the development of English and its many current varieties, providing new insights into questions of who were the agents of change and what were the processes involved. The list of authors of the eighteen chapters reads like a who's who in contact linguistics and the history of English. Highly recommended reading for anyone interested in these areas.' Jeff Siegel, University of New England, Australia 'The volume is highly recommended reading for beginning and experienced scholars in (English) contact linguistics, English variational linguistics, language typology, and beyond.' Helen Aristar-Dry, The Linguist List (linguistlist.org)

Author Information

Daniel Schreier is Associate Professor of English Linguistics in the English Department at the University of Zurich, Switzerland. Marianne Hundt is Full Professor of English Linguistics in the English Department at the University of Zurich, Switzerland.

Tab Content 6

Author Website:  

Customer Reviews

Recent Reviews

No review item found!

Add your own review!

Countries Available

All regions