Podcast
Questions and Answers
Which of the following statements about pidgins is TRUE regarding their grammatical structure?
Which of the following statements about pidgins is TRUE regarding their grammatical structure?
- They always maintain the inflectional morphology of the lexifier language
- They have complex conjugations similar to their source languages
- They simplify grammatical structures to the minimum necessary for communication (correct)
- They have no recognizable grammar
In which context might a pidgin language become the preferred language of the home and be passed on to children?
In which context might a pidgin language become the preferred language of the home and be passed on to children?
- When parents use it extensively in daily life and interethnic communication (correct)
- In monolingual societies
- When it is the official language of the country
- Only when schools mandate its use
Which of the following is TRUE about the role of attitudes in the survival and promotion of creole languages?
Which of the following is TRUE about the role of attitudes in the survival and promotion of creole languages?
- Negative attitudes always lead to the extinction of creoles
- Positive attitudes among speakers can contribute to the creole's vitality and official recognition (correct)
- Attitudes have no impact on language survival
- Only outsiders' attitudes affect the status of a creole
In the spread of standard languages, which social group typically influences the selection of certain linguistic forms as 'standard'?
In the spread of standard languages, which social group typically influences the selection of certain linguistic forms as 'standard'?
What is one reason why pidgins and creoles might have similar features even if they develop independently in different regions?
What is one reason why pidgins and creoles might have similar features even if they develop independently in different regions?
What impact did European colonialism have on the emergence of pidgin and creole languages?
What impact did European colonialism have on the emergence of pidgin and creole languages?
Which feature of pidgins and creoles makes them particularly useful for linguists studying language universals and change?
Which feature of pidgins and creoles makes them particularly useful for linguists studying language universals and change?
What term describes the process where a creole changes towards the standard language?
What term describes the process where a creole changes towards the standard language?
What term describes the most colloquial variety in a person's linguistic repertoire within a monolingual community?
What term describes the most colloquial variety in a person's linguistic repertoire within a monolingual community?
What role does the need for a lingua franca play in the displacement of vernacular languages?
What role does the need for a lingua franca play in the displacement of vernacular languages?
In the context of linguistic varieties, which term refers to any language used for everyday interaction?
In the context of linguistic varieties, which term refers to any language used for everyday interaction?
What is the main purpose of the 1951 UNESCO report's definition of a vernacular language?
What is the main purpose of the 1951 UNESCO report's definition of a vernacular language?
Which of the following best describes the 'outer-circle' varieties of English according to Kachru's model?
Which of the following best describes the 'outer-circle' varieties of English according to Kachru's model?
Which language was promoted as Tanzania's national language due to its widespread use as a lingua franca?
Which language was promoted as Tanzania's national language due to its widespread use as a lingua franca?
What factor primarily accounts for the negative attitudes of outsiders toward pidgin and creole languages?
What factor primarily accounts for the negative attitudes of outsiders toward pidgin and creole languages?
What is a common misconception about pidgin languages among native speakers of the lexifier language?
What is a common misconception about pidgin languages among native speakers of the lexifier language?
Which of the following is a structural characteristic often found in pidgin languages?
Which of the following is a structural characteristic often found in pidgin languages?
How does 'Singlish' differ from formal Singapore English?
How does 'Singlish' differ from formal Singapore English?
What is one way creoles may develop new words to express additional meanings?
What is one way creoles may develop new words to express additional meanings?
Which language has been described as an example of 'vernacularisation' by extending its use from ritual to everyday communication?
Which language has been described as an example of 'vernacularisation' by extending its use from ritual to everyday communication?
What term describes a pidgin that has evolved to fulfill the full range of communicative needs of a community?
What term describes a pidgin that has evolved to fulfill the full range of communicative needs of a community?
In the context of the Vaupés Indians, why do husbands and wives often speak different languages to each other?
In the context of the Vaupés Indians, why do husbands and wives often speak different languages to each other?
Which of the following statements about the lexifier language in pidgin and creole development is accurate?
Which of the following statements about the lexifier language in pidgin and creole development is accurate?
Why might some creole-speaking communities not experience decreolisation?
Why might some creole-speaking communities not experience decreolisation?
What is a key characteristic of a 'standard' language regarding its recognition in a community?
What is a key characteristic of a 'standard' language regarding its recognition in a community?
Which of the following is a feature not typically associated with pidgin languages?
Which of the following is a feature not typically associated with pidgin languages?
What is the impact of print technology on language standardization, as seen in the case of English?
What is the impact of print technology on language standardization, as seen in the case of English?
Which term describes languages that have developed under conditions of extreme social and political oppression?
Which term describes languages that have developed under conditions of extreme social and political oppression?
Why might decreolisation not occur in a community where the lexifier language is not used or present?
Why might decreolisation not occur in a community where the lexifier language is not used or present?
What is one reason creoles may gain official recognition and higher status in some countries?
What is one reason creoles may gain official recognition and higher status in some countries?
In which way do standard languages and vernaculars differ primarily?
In which way do standard languages and vernaculars differ primarily?
Which process involves the selection of particular forms and rules from a variety of existing options to codify a standard language?
Which process involves the selection of particular forms and rules from a variety of existing options to codify a standard language?
Which of the following reasons contributes to the development of 'New Englishes' in multilingual countries?
Which of the following reasons contributes to the development of 'New Englishes' in multilingual countries?
What happens to the structural features of a creole language over time if it continues to develop independently from its lexifier language?
What happens to the structural features of a creole language over time if it continues to develop independently from its lexifier language?
Why is the study of pidgins and creoles important for testing hypotheses about universal linguistic features?
Why is the study of pidgins and creoles important for testing hypotheses about universal linguistic features?
Which of the following best explains why Tok Pisin is used as a language of debate in the Papua New Guinea Parliament?
Which of the following best explains why Tok Pisin is used as a language of debate in the Papua New Guinea Parliament?
What is the significance of the term 'mesolect' in the study of creole languages?
What is the significance of the term 'mesolect' in the study of creole languages?
What is the primary reason over half the world's population becomes bilingual or multilingual?
What is the primary reason over half the world's population becomes bilingual or multilingual?
Which term refers to a language that has not been standardized and lacks official status?
Which term refers to a language that has not been standardized and lacks official status?
What are the three components of the meaning of 'vernacular'?
What are the three components of the meaning of 'vernacular'?
In multilingual communities, what is typically the first language learned by individuals?
In multilingual communities, what is typically the first language learned by individuals?
Which of the following is NOT a way that the term 'vernacular' is used?
Which of the following is NOT a way that the term 'vernacular' is used?
What typically distinguishes a standard language from other varieties?
What typically distinguishes a standard language from other varieties?
Which area provided the basis for what is now considered Standard British English?
Which area provided the basis for what is now considered Standard British English?
What role did William Caxton play in the development of Standard English?
What role did William Caxton play in the development of Standard English?
What is a 'lingua franca'?
What is a 'lingua franca'?
Which of the following is an example of a lingua franca used in the Vaupés region of the Amazon?
Which of the following is an example of a lingua franca used in the Vaupés region of the Amazon?
What is one reason pidgins often have a simplified structure?
What is one reason pidgins often have a simplified structure?
In the context of pidgins and creoles, what is a 'lexifier' language?
In the context of pidgins and creoles, what is a 'lexifier' language?
Which of the following is a characteristic of pidgin languages?
Which of the following is a characteristic of pidgin languages?
What is the process called when a pidgin becomes a creole?
What is the process called when a pidgin becomes a creole?
What typically happens to a creole in a community where social barriers are not rigid?
What typically happens to a creole in a community where social barriers are not rigid?
What is a 'post-creole continuum'?
What is a 'post-creole continuum'?
In the context of sociolinguistics, what does the term 'decreolisation' refer to?
In the context of sociolinguistics, what does the term 'decreolisation' refer to?
Which of the following is NOT one of the three identifying characteristics of a pidgin language?
Which of the following is NOT one of the three identifying characteristics of a pidgin language?
How does societal need influence the development of creole languages?
How does societal need influence the development of creole languages?
What is one way that creoles differ structurally from pidgins?
What is one way that creoles differ structurally from pidgins?
Which term refers to the variety of a language closest to the standard language in a post-creole continuum?
Which term refers to the variety of a language closest to the standard language in a post-creole continuum?
Why might pidgin and creole languages be fascinating to linguists studying language development?
Why might pidgin and creole languages be fascinating to linguists studying language development?
Which of the following best describes 'creolisation'?
Which of the following best describes 'creolisation'?
What does the term 'substrate' refer to in the context of pidgins and creoles?
What does the term 'substrate' refer to in the context of pidgins and creoles?
Which of the following statements about pidgin languages is TRUE?
Which of the following statements about pidgin languages is TRUE?
What is one reason people might have negative attitudes toward pidgin languages?
What is one reason people might have negative attitudes toward pidgin languages?
How does a 'vernacular' language differ from a 'lingua franca'?
How does a 'vernacular' language differ from a 'lingua franca'?
What typically happens to pidgins when the specific functions they serve disappear?
What typically happens to pidgins when the specific functions they serve disappear?
Which of the following is an example of a pidgin that has evolved into a creole?
Which of the following is an example of a pidgin that has evolved into a creole?
What is one of the social functions of a 'standard' language?
What is one of the social functions of a 'standard' language?
How did the introduction of printing influence the development of Standard English?
How did the introduction of printing influence the development of Standard English?
Why are pidgin languages often hard to understand for native speakers of their lexifier language?
Why are pidgin languages often hard to understand for native speakers of their lexifier language?
What happens to a language in a rigid society?
What happens to a language in a rigid society?
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic typical of pidgin languages?
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic typical of pidgin languages?
Why might a pidgin develop into a creole in the context of a plantation economy?
Why might a pidgin develop into a creole in the context of a plantation economy?
Which statement best reflects attitudes of creole speakers towards their language?
Which statement best reflects attitudes of creole speakers towards their language?
What is a key difference between 'inner-circle' and 'outer-circle' varieties of English?
What is a key difference between 'inner-circle' and 'outer-circle' varieties of English?
What is 'code-switching' in sociolinguistic terms?
What is 'code-switching' in sociolinguistic terms?
Why might vernacular languages have little written literature or formal codification?
Why might vernacular languages have little written literature or formal codification?
What is one way in which creoles can develop systematic ways of expressing grammatical tense?
What is one way in which creoles can develop systematic ways of expressing grammatical tense?
Which of the following is an example of a fully developed creole that has been standardized and adopted as an official language?
Which of the following is an example of a fully developed creole that has been standardized and adopted as an official language?
What impact does the need to express more complex meanings have on a pidgin language?
What impact does the need to express more complex meanings have on a pidgin language?
What is an example of a language that was revived and developed as a national language through 'vernacularisation'?
What is an example of a language that was revived and developed as a national language through 'vernacularisation'?
How do 'nativised' varieties of English, like Singlish, differ from standard English?
How do 'nativised' varieties of English, like Singlish, differ from standard English?
What term is used to describe the language habits of Mr. Patel, who uses multiple languages for different purposes?
What term is used to describe the language habits of Mr. Patel, who uses multiple languages for different purposes?
What role did Caxton's printing press play in the linguistic landscape of England?
What role did Caxton's printing press play in the linguistic landscape of England?
Why might it be challenging for an English speaker to understand a pidgin based on English?
Why might it be challenging for an English speaker to understand a pidgin based on English?
Why is it significant that creoles can be indistinguishable from other languages in terms of linguistic structure?
Why is it significant that creoles can be indistinguishable from other languages in terms of linguistic structure?
What is one of the reasons pidgins might disappear?
What is one of the reasons pidgins might disappear?
What is the 'expanding circle' in Kachru's model of World Englishes?
What is the 'expanding circle' in Kachru's model of World Englishes?
How might the presence of a 'post-creole continuum' affect language education policies?
How might the presence of a 'post-creole continuum' affect language education policies?
Which of the following best describes a 'basilect' in a creole continuum?
Which of the following best describes a 'basilect' in a creole continuum?
Which term refers to the phenomenon where a word in a pidgin or creole takes on multiple related meanings?
Which term refers to the phenomenon where a word in a pidgin or creole takes on multiple related meanings?
What is one function that standard languages typically serve in multilingual nations?
What is one function that standard languages typically serve in multilingual nations?
In the context of Afrikaans, what debate is mentioned regarding its linguistic origins?
In the context of Afrikaans, what debate is mentioned regarding its linguistic origins?
What is one consequence of a creole being used side-by-side with the standard language in a community?
What is one consequence of a creole being used side-by-side with the standard language in a community?
Which of the following statements best describes the linguistic status of Nicaraguan Sign Language?
Which of the following statements best describes the linguistic status of Nicaraguan Sign Language?
Which of the following is a factor that contributes to the survival of vernacular languages in the face of lingua francas?
Which of the following is a factor that contributes to the survival of vernacular languages in the face of lingua francas?
What is the significance of substrate influence in the development of creole languages?
What is the significance of substrate influence in the development of creole languages?
How are affixes typically treated in pidgin languages?
How are affixes typically treated in pidgin languages?
What is one linguistic characteristic common to many pidgin languages?
What is one linguistic characteristic common to many pidgin languages?
Which of the following languages serves as a lingua franca among the educated in the Arabic-speaking world?
Which of the following languages serves as a lingua franca among the educated in the Arabic-speaking world?
In a diglossic situation, what role does the 'L' variety typically play?
In a diglossic situation, what role does the 'L' variety typically play?
Which language served as a lingua franca in the former Soviet Union?
Which language served as a lingua franca in the former Soviet Union?
In the Vaupés region, what linguistic practice helps maintain the numerous languages spoken among the tribes?
In the Vaupés region, what linguistic practice helps maintain the numerous languages spoken among the tribes?
What is 'decreolisation' in the context of creole languages?
What is 'decreolisation' in the context of creole languages?
What is a key characteristic of a pidgin language's vocabulary?
What is a key characteristic of a pidgin language's vocabulary?
What is one argument against the idea that all pidgins and creoles originated from a single source?
What is one argument against the idea that all pidgins and creoles originated from a single source?
What term describes the process when a language extends its functions from exclusively high domains to include everyday communication?
What term describes the process when a language extends its functions from exclusively high domains to include everyday communication?
Why do pidgin languages often have irregular grammatical features?
Why do pidgin languages often have irregular grammatical features?
Which of the following best describes the term 'lexifier language'?
Which of the following best describes the term 'lexifier language'?
What is 'creole continuum'?
What is 'creole continuum'?
What happens during the process of 'creolisation' in language development?
What happens during the process of 'creolisation' in language development?
In language policy, what factors are often considered when selecting a language to promote as official or national?
In language policy, what factors are often considered when selecting a language to promote as official or national?
When selecting a language to promote as a national or official language, what type of factors are usually the most influential?
When selecting a language to promote as a national or official language, what type of factors are usually the most influential?
Which of the following is a creole language that has been adopted as a national language?
Which of the following is a creole language that has been adopted as a national language?
What is a primary function of a lingua franca in multilingual communities?
What is a primary function of a lingua franca in multilingual communities?
Which language serves as the most widely used lingua franca in East Africa, particularly in Tanzania?
Which language serves as the most widely used lingua franca in East Africa, particularly in Tanzania?
What is the term for a language that has been developed for everyday interaction, expanding from high (H) functions to include low (L) functions?
What is the term for a language that has been developed for everyday interaction, expanding from high (H) functions to include low (L) functions?
Why do pidgin languages tend to have small vocabularies?
Why do pidgin languages tend to have small vocabularies?
In which way do pidgin languages handle complex consonant clusters from their lexifier languages?
In which way do pidgin languages handle complex consonant clusters from their lexifier languages?
What does the term 'mesolect' refer to in a post-creole continuum?
What does the term 'mesolect' refer to in a post-creole continuum?
What is the primary reason for the development of pidgins, as stated in the document?
What is the primary reason for the development of pidgins, as stated in the document?
In bilingual communities, why might a standard language emerge from one particular dialect?
In bilingual communities, why might a standard language emerge from one particular dialect?
What is one reason why the large number of pidgin words derived from European languages might mislead people?
What is one reason why the large number of pidgin words derived from European languages might mislead people?
What is one function that pidgins typically do not fulfill?
What is one function that pidgins typically do not fulfill?
What aspect of a pidgin language often increases the burden on the listener rather than the speaker?
What aspect of a pidgin language often increases the burden on the listener rather than the speaker?
In pidgin languages, how is plurality often indicated without the use of inflectional morphology?
In pidgin languages, how is plurality often indicated without the use of inflectional morphology?
What is the significance of 'Tok Pisin' in the study of pidgins and creoles?
What is the significance of 'Tok Pisin' in the study of pidgins and creoles?
What is one way creoles tend to expand their vocabulary compared to pidgins?
What is one way creoles tend to expand their vocabulary compared to pidgins?
In sociolinguistics, what is the primary purpose of studying pidgins and creoles?
In sociolinguistics, what is the primary purpose of studying pidgins and creoles?
What role does the 'H' language play in a diglossic situation involving a creole?
What role does the 'H' language play in a diglossic situation involving a creole?
What is one effect of pidgin languages on local vernaculars in multilingual contexts?
What is one effect of pidgin languages on local vernaculars in multilingual contexts?
Which process involves developing a language for use as the national language by extending its functions from only high domains to everyday communication?
Which process involves developing a language for use as the national language by extending its functions from only high domains to everyday communication?
Which of the following is a feature of creole languages that distinguishes them from pidgins?
Which of the following is a feature of creole languages that distinguishes them from pidgins?
How might government policy influence the status and development of a creole language?
How might government policy influence the status and development of a creole language?
In the context of language development, what does the term 'pidginisation' refer to?
In the context of language development, what does the term 'pidginisation' refer to?
Which of the following is a key non-linguistic factor in selecting a language as official or national?
Which of the following is a key non-linguistic factor in selecting a language as official or national?
What is an example of a pidgin that emerged due to trade interactions?
What is an example of a pidgin that emerged due to trade interactions?
Study Notes
Bilingualism and Language Use
- Over half the world's population is bilingual or multilingual mainly due to the necessity of using different languages in daily interactions.
- Individuals typically learn a vernacular language as their first language in multilingual communities for informal communication.
Definitions of Language Varieties
- A vernacular language is unstandardized, has no official status, and is often the first language learned at home.
- The three components of 'vernacular': unstandardized, first language, limited functions.
Standard Language and Its Characteristics
- A standard language has undergone codification, recognized as prestigious, and is used for high functions.
- The area around London contributed significantly to the development of Standard British English.
Influential Figures in Language Development
- William Caxton played a crucial role by establishing the first English printing press, promoting the London dialect which led to standardization.
Language Interaction
- A lingua franca serves as a means of communication between speakers of different native languages.
- Examples include Tukano in the Vaupés region of the Amazon, functioning as a lingua franca among various tribes.
Pidgins and Creoles
- Pidgins often have simplified structures due to their use in limited functions or domains (e.g., trade).
- The lexifier language provides the bulk of vocabulary in pidgins and creoles, while the substrate influences grammar.
- Creolisation is the process by which a pidgin becomes a fully developed language with native speakers.
Social Dynamics and Language Change
- Decreolisation occurs when a creole language develops features closer to the standard language in the community.
- A post-creole continuum describes the spectrum of varieties between a creole (basilect) and standard language (acrolect).
Sociolinguistic Status
- Haitian Creole is the low (L) variety in Haiti's diglossic situation, used alongside the high (H) variety, French.
- Pidgin languages are often viewed negatively and associated with low social status, contributing to societal attitudes.
Language Evolution and Function
- Pidgins can evolve into creoles when learned as a first language; they offer insights into language development and change.
- The disappearance of the specific functions of pidgins usually leads to their extinction.
Lexifier and Language Characteristics
- Common lexifier languages for pidgins and creoles include English, French, Spanish, and Portuguese, but not Russian.
- Pidgin languages are characterized by polysemy, often having words with multiple meanings to compensate for limited vocabulary.
Factors Influencing Language Survival
- Strong ethnic identity and linguistic distinctiveness can help vernacular languages survive against lingua francas.
- In diglossic situations, the role of the L variety is primarily in informal settings, while the H variety dominates formal contexts.### Diglossia and Language Varieties
- In diglossia, the 'L' (low) variety functions in informal, everyday communication, while the 'H' (high) variety is used in formal education and administration.
- The 'H' language retains higher prestige compared to the 'L' language, influencing its use in formal contexts.
Lingua Franca in Historical Context
- Russian served as a lingua franca in the former Soviet Union, facilitating communication among diverse language groups.
Concepts in Creole Linguistics
- Decreolisation: The process where a creole language adopts features from its lexifier language, often moving closer to a standard language.
- Lexifier Language: The primary source language that contributes most vocabulary to a pidgin or creole, often highlighting its origin.
- Creole Continuum: A spectrum of dialects ranging from basilect (deep creole) to acrolect (closest to the standard language), illustrating variations within a creole-speaking community.
Language Policy and Development
- Language selection for official status often considers non-linguistic factors such as political, social, and economic implications rather than purely linguistic aspects.
- Vernacularisation: The process of extending a language from high functions to everyday communication, enhancing its role in daily life.
Creole Languages and Pidgins
- Indonesian emerged as a national language from pidgin Malay, showcasing how pidgins can evolve into widely recognized languages.
- Haitian Creole is a notable example of a pidgin that developed into a fully-fledged creole language, featuring native speakers.
Functions and Features of Pidgins
- Pidgin languages typically have limited vocabularies suited for specific, practical functions like trade.
- They simplify complex grammatical structures from their lexifier languages, often easing pronunciation.
Language Variation and Plurality
- Plurality in pidgin languages is often indicated through context or additional words instead of inflectional morphology.
- Mesolect: Refers to varieties of a creole that lie between the acrolect and basilect, demonstrating linguistic diversity within a single community.
Socioeconomic Influences on Language
- Government policies can elevate a creole language by promoting it as a national or official language, thereby enhancing its social status and usage.
- Pidginisation marks the initial creation of a pidgin to facilitate communication among groups lacking a common language.
Attitudes Towards Creole Languages
- Creole speakers often express strong loyalty to their language, viewing it as vital to their identity and cultural expression, despite societal stigmas.
Language and Identity
- In bilingual communities, the standard language often emerges from a particular dialect associated with political or social power, emphasizing the influence of authority on language prestige.
Code-Switching and Literature
- Code-switching refers to the practice of alternating between languages or dialects in conversation, reflecting linguistic adaptability and cultural fluidity.
- Many vernacular languages lack formal literature or codification due to historical suppression by dominant language structures, limiting their written expression.### Tense Markers and Creoles
- Creoles often develop particles or affixes to systematically express grammatical tense, such as 'bin' in Roper River Creole for the past tense.
Tok Pisin as an Official Language
- Tok Pisin in Papua New Guinea is an example of a fully developed creole that has been standardized and adopted as an official language.
Complexity in Pidgins
- The need to express more complex meanings in pidgin languages leads to grammatical elaboration and vocabulary expansion, often leading to creolisation.
Hebrew as a National Language
- Hebrew was vernacularised in Israel, transitioning from ritual use to everyday communication and developed as the national language.
Nativised Varieties of English
- 'Nativised' English varieties, like Singlish, incorporate distinctive linguistic features influenced by local languages, differing from standard English.
Multilingualism
- Mr. Patel exemplifies multilingualism, using different languages for various purposes in daily life.
Caxton's Influence
- Caxton’s printing press played a critical role in stabilizing and codifying the London dialect as standard English.
Understanding Pidgins
- Pidgin languages can be challenging for English speakers to understand due to their irregular and non-English grammatical structures.
Meaning of 'Washman'
- In creole contexts, 'washman' refers to a person employed to do laundry, combining elements of English words.
Creoles and Linguistic Structure
- The indistinguishability of creoles from other languages in terms of structure suggests that all languages may undergo similar developmental processes.
Disappearance of Pidgins
- Pidgins may disappear if the functions they serve are no longer needed.
Expanding Circle of English
- In Kachru's model, the 'expanding circle' includes countries where English is learned as a foreign language for specific purposes, such as in China and Japan.
Post-Creole Continuum in Education
- The existence of a post-creole continuum complicates decisions regarding which language variety to teach in educational settings.
Basilect Definition
- A 'basilect' is the least prestigious, most creole-like variety within a language continuum.
Polysemy in Pidgins
- Polysemy is common in pidgin languages, where a single word can have multiple related meanings due to limited vocabulary.
Role of Standard Languages
- Standard languages facilitate communication across dialectal diversity, especially for official purposes in multilingual nations.
Afrikaans Debate
- There is ongoing debate about whether Afrikaans has creole origins due to its development and linguistic features.
Nicaraguan Sign Language
- Nicaraguan Sign Language is a creole developing among schoolchildren, highlighting the emergence of new signed languages.
Substrate Influence on Creoles
- Substrate languages influence creole grammar and syntax, shaping the linguistic structure of these languages.
Affix Usage in Pidgins
- Pidgin languages rarely use affixes, with meanings often expressed through context instead.
Classical Arabic as a Lingua Franca
- Classical Arabic serves as a lingua franca among educated individuals in the Arabic-speaking world.
Linguistic Practices in Vaupés
- Exogamous marriages in the Vaupés region help maintain linguistic diversity by preventing individuals from marrying within the same language group.
Vocabulary of Pidgins
- Pidgin vocabulary often contains polysemous words due to a limited lexicon.
Vernacularisation Process
- Vernacularisation describes how a language extends its use to everyday communication, moving from high to low domains.
Pidgin Irregularities
- Irregular grammatical features in pidgin languages arise from their simplified structures and lack of formal standardization.
Creolisation Process
- Creolisation refers to a pidgin developing into a fully-fledged language with native speakers.
Language Promotion Factors
- Non-linguistic factors, such as political and social considerations, significantly influence the selection of national or official languages.
Decreolisation Defined
- Decreolisation involves a creole language evolving towards the standard language from which it derives much of its vocabulary.
Vernacular in Monolingual Communities
- The term 'vernacular' refers to the most colloquial variety of a language within a monolingual community.
Lingua Franca in Vaupés
- Non-Indians in the Vaupés region communicate with indigenous peoples primarily in Spanish or Portuguese.
Decline of Vernaculars
- The presence of a lingua franca can contribute to the decline of vernacular languages, particularly in multilingual contexts.
Definition of Vernacular Languages
- A vernacular language is defined as the first language of a socially or politically dominated group, according to a UNESCO report.
Outer-Circle English Varieties
- In Kachru's model, outer-circle English varieties serve as additional languages with significant societal functions.
Swahili as National Language
- Swahili was promoted as Tanzania's national language due to its established role as a lingua franca.
Negative Attitudes Toward Pidgins
- Negative attitudes towards pidgin and creole languages primarily arise from their low social prestige and association with lower-status groups.
Italian Language Academy Outcome
- The establishment of the first language academy in Italy in 1582 contributed to the development of a standardized Italian language.
Misconceptions About Pidgin Languages
- Native speakers of lexifier languages often incorrectly view pidgins as debased forms of their own language, undermining the complexities involved in pidgin use.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
