Language Contact

Two issues

1. How to understand the process of contact itself.

2. How to analyze the effects of contact-induced change.

• Language contact is when two or more languages interact.

• Most languages have been influenced at one time or another by contact.

• In some cases only a few words are borrowed; in others whole new languages may be formed

• When speakers with diff language interact, typically their language will influence each other.

Process of contact

Multilingualism / Bilingualism

Language Shift

Pidgin CreoleInterference

Language CrossingInterlanguage

Language shift, sometimes referred to as language replacement. It is the process whereby a community of a language (heritage) shifts to speak another language. Eg; Chinese to English. (Immigrant - Australia & Canada)

Pidgin derived from 'business'. Some pidgins involve more mixture of vocabulary than others. Sebba (1997) summarise pidgin have no native speakers since it is a mixed language. It grows up among people who do not share a common language. Pidgin is used primarily for the purpose of conducting business between people that speak different native languages.

Creole is a language that was originally a pidgin but has become nativized (developed form pidgin) , A pidgin language can sometimes can develop into very widely used language, which is taught by people to their children as a native language. The community of speakers claims it as their first language.

Multilingualism / Bilingualism is the use of two or more languages which is the common one. Interference and code-switching are the two phenomena which are common among bilinguals.

Effects of contact-induced change• -Biculturalism definition, the presence of two different cultures in

the same country or region. • Acculturation is the process of adopting culural traits or social

patterns of another group. Chinese immigrant has gone to american school, spend time with american friends, dresses as they do.

• Cultural borrowing is taking ideas and practices from another culture, ethic group or religion.

• Cultural creolization had an impact on music, food and religion. For example Jazz music which take its roots from the combination of blues, opera, and spiritual music.