An Introduction to Contact Linguistics

This book is a comprehensive introduction to the study of language contact and its outcomes, as well as the social and linguistic factors involved. An Introduction to Contact Linguistics examines a wide range of language contact phenomena from both general linguistic and sociolinguistic perspectives. It provides an account of current approaches to all of the major types of contact–induced change. Each chapter describes both the linguistic and social aspects of the contact situation and how they affect the outcome. There is also discussion of the general processes and principles that are at work in cases of contact. The book treats all of these diverse contact phenomena in a unified empirical and theoretical framework within which both the outcomes and the processes and principles at work in each case can be identified and compared.

1. Introduction: The Field of Contact Linguistics: . The Subject Matter Of Contact Linguistics. History Of Research On Language Contact. The Field Of Contact Linguistics. Types Of Contact Situation. Overview Of Contact Situations And Their Outcomes. The Social Contexts Of Language Contact. 2. Language Maintenance and Lexical Borrowing: . Introduction. ′Casual′ Contact And Lexical Borrowing. Contact In Settings Involving “Unequal” Bilingualism. Lexical Borrowing In Equal Bilingual Situations. Social Motivations For Lexical Borrowing. The Processes And Products Of Lexical Borrowing. The Integration Of Loanwords. Linguistic Constraints On Lexical Borrowing. Structural Consequences Of Lexical Borrowing. Summary. 3. Structural Diffusion in Situations of Language Maintenance: . Introduction. Is There Direct Borrowing Of Structural Features?. Factors Affecting Structural Convergence. Structural Convergence In Stable Bilingual Situations. Sprachbünde: Contact Across Contiguous Speech Communities. A Case Of Intimate Inter–Community Contact: Arnhem Land. Heavy To Extreme Structural Diffusion: Borrowing Or Substratum Influence?. The Social Contexts Of Structural Convergence. Linguistic Constraints On Structural Diffusion Into A Maintained Language. Constraints On Syntactic Diffusion. Summary. 4. Code Switching in its Social Contexts: . Introduction. Defining Code Switching. Social Motivations For Code Switching. Summary. 5. Code Switching: Linguistic Aspects: . Introduction. Structural Constraints On Code Switching. A Production–Based Model Of Code Switching. Constraints On Code Switching Within The MLF Model. Constraints On Multi–Word Switches (EL Islands). Further Issues. Summary. 6. Bilingual Mixed Languages: . Introduction. Definition And Classification. Media Lengua. Michif. Creations Associated With Language Shift. The Case Of Ma′a. The Strange Case Of Copper Island Aleut. Summary. 7. Second Language Acquisition and Language Shift: . A. An Overview Of Individual Second Language Acquistion:. Introduction. L1 Influence In SLA. Simplification In SLA. Internal Developments In L2 Systems. Developmental Stages In SLA. Strategies And Processes In SLA. Principles And Constraints On SLA. B. Group Second Language Acquisition Or Language Shift. Introduction. Irish English. “Indigenized” Englishes And Similar Contact Varieties. Issues In The Study Of Language Shift. Linguistic Constraints In Language Shift. Non–Structural Factors In Language Shift. Question Of Classification. C. First Language Attrition And Death. Introduction. External (Social) Factors In Language Death. The Linguistic Consequences Of L1 Attrition. Language Attrition In Relation To Other Contact Phenomena. Summary. 8. Pidgins and Pidginization: . Introduction: Definitions. Social Contexts Of Pidgin Formation. Russenorsk: A Brief Sketch. Structural Characteristics Of Pidgins. Pidgin Formation In Relation To Early SLA. Elaborated Or Extended Pidgins. Simplified Languages. Issues Of Classification Revisited. Summary. 9. Creole Formation: . Introduction. Defining Creoles. The Sociohistorical Background To Creole Formation. The Emergence Of “Intermediate” Creoles: Bajan. The Emergence Of Radical Creoles: Suriname. Some Aspects Of Creole Grammar. Theories Of Creole Formation. Radical Creole Formation As SLA. Mechanisms, Constraints And Principles In Creole Formation. Universal Principles And Creole Formation. Externally Motivated Change In Later Creole Development. Summary. References. Index.

Donald Winford is Professor of Linguistics at Ohio State University. He is author of Predication in Caribbean English Creoles (1993), and co–editor of several volumes, including Focus and Grammatical Relations in Creoles (1993) and The Structure and Status of Pidgins and Creoles (1998). He was president of the Society for Caribbean Linguistics (1998–2000), and is currently editor of the Journal of Pidgin and Creole Languages .

“This is a highly engaging text that gives thorough coverage of all aspects of contact linguistics. The writing is clear and concise, and the book presents even complex issues in an entertaining and accessible style. Right from the beginning, Winford makes it clear that the field of study adopts an interdisciplinary approach that draws on theoretical linguistics and theories of second language acquisition, and that these theories are intertwined with sociocultural factors.” ( Language Documentation & Conservation ) "The volume′s extensive, linguistically detailed coverage will make this a stimulating textbook for upper level students with good prior grounding in linguistics." ( Anthropological Linguistics ) "Along with a comprehensive state–of–the–art presentation of the basic theories and notions in this field, Winford′s book is an exciting opening to the sophisticated and intricate universe of languages rubbing shoulders throughout the world ... the book contains a wealth of scholarly material and experimental data which allows for broad perception of language contact." ( Language Awareness ) "This book is a very good new introduction to language contact, and a must read for all students in the area." (Journal of Multilingual and Multicultural Development)