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This volume presents a study of the phenomenon of dialect
levelling, the process of the reduction of structural variation.
The investigation focuses on an originally rural Limburg dialect of
Dutch. The approach is basically quantitatively sociolinguistic,
although methods and insights from historical linguistics,
dialectology as well as (linear and non-linear) phonological theory
also play an important role. After a discussion of the findings,
the outlines are sketched of a theory of dialect levelling. The
possibilities as well as some of the problems are discussed of an
integration of the study of language variation and change on the
one hand and formal linguistic theory on the other.
Dialects are constantly changing, and due to increased mobility in
more recent years, European dialects have 'levelled', making it
difficult to distinguish a native of Reading from a native of
London, or a native of Bonn from a native of Cologne. This
comprehensive study brings together a team of leading scholars to
explore all aspects of recent dialect change, in particular dialect
convergence and divergence. Drawing on examples from a wide range
of European countries - as well as areas where European languages
have been transplanted - they examine a range of issues relating to
dialect contact and isolation, and show how sociolinguistic
conditions differ hugely between and within European countries.
Each specially commissioned chapter is based on original research,
giving an overview of work on that particular area and presenting
case studies to illustrate the issues discussed. Dialect Change
will be welcomed by all those interested in sociolinguistics,
dialectology, the relevance of language variation to formal
linguistic theories, and European languages.
Dialects are constantly changing, and due to increased mobility in
more recent years, European dialects have 'levelled', making it
difficult to distinguish a native of Reading from a native of
London, or a native of Bonn from a native of Cologne. This
comprehensive study brings together a team of leading scholars to
explore all aspects of recent dialect change, in particular dialect
convergence and divergence. Drawing on examples from a wide range
of European countries - as well as areas where European languages
have been transplanted - they examine a range of issues relating to
dialect contact and isolation, and show how sociolinguistic
conditions differ hugely between and within European countries.
Each specially commissioned chapter is based on original research,
giving an overview of work on that particular area and presenting
case studies to illustrate the issues discussed. Dialect Change
will be welcomed by all those interested in sociolinguistics,
dialectology, the relevance of language variation to formal
linguistic theories, and European languages.
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