The Ecology of Language Evolution (Cambridge Approaches to Language Contact)
Cambridge University Press, 1/12/2008
EAN 9780521794756, ISBN10: 0521794757
Paperback, 276 pages, 22.9 x 15.2 x 1.8 cm
Language: English
Originally published in English
This major 2001 work explores the development of creoles and other new languages, focusing on the conceptual and methodological issues they raise for genetic linguistics. Written by an internationally renowned linguist, the book discusses the nature and significance of internal and external factors or 'ecologies' that bear on the evolution of a language. The book surveys a wide range of examples of changes in the structure, function and vitality of languages, and suggests that similar ecologies have played the same kinds of roles in all cases of language evolution. Drawing on major theories of language formation, macroecology and population genetics, Mufwene proposes a common approach to the development of creoles and other new languages. The Ecology of Language Evolution will be welcomed by students and researchers in sociolinguistics, creolistics, theoretical linguistics and theories of evolution.
1. Introduction
2. The founder principle in the development of creoles
3. The development of American Englishes
factoring contact in and the social bias out
4. The legitimate and illegitimate offspring of English
5. What research on the development of creoles can contribute to genetic linguistics
6. Language contact, evolution and death
how ecology rolls the dice
7. Past and recent population movements in Africa
their impact on its linguistic landscape
8. Conclusions for the big picture.