English Historical Sociolinguistics

by Robert Millar

Overview

Sociolinguistics provides a powerful instrument by which we can interpret the contemporary and near-contemporary use of language in relation to the society in which speakers live. Almost since the beginning of the discipline, however, attempts have been made to extrapolate backwards and interpret past linguistic change sociolinguistically. Some of these findings have influenced the discussion of the history of the English language as portrayed in the many textbooks for undergraduate courses. A consistent application of sociolinguistic theory and findings has rarely been attempted, however, despite the specialist literature which demonstrates this connection at specific points in the language's development.This textbook provides students with a means by which a previously existing knowledge of a linear, narrative, history of English can be deepened by a more profound understanding of the sociolinguistic forces which initiate or encourage language change. Uniquely, it discusses not only the central variationist tendencies present in language change and their analysis but also the macrosociolinguistic forces which act upon all speakers and their language. Chapters investigate the political, cultural and economic forces which affect a society's use of and views on language; language contact, language standardisation and linguistic attrition are also covered. Discussion is illustrated throughout by apposite examples from the history of English. The volume enables students to develop a deeper understanding of both sociolinguistics and historical linguistics; it is also be useful as a primer for postgraduate study in the subjects covered.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780748664405
Publisher:	Edinburgh University Press
Publication date:	06/20/2012
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	3 MB

About the Author

Robert McColl Millar is Senior Lecturer in Linguistics at the University of Aberdeen.

Table of Contents

List of figures vii

List of tables viii

Acknowledgements ix

Foreword: Towards a sociolinguistic history of the English language x

1 Sociolinguistics: an overview 1

1.1 Historical linguistics and sociolinguistics 1

1.2 Sociolinguistics 2

1.3 Conclusions 15

Further reading 16

Some issues to consider 16

2 Language change and sociolinguistic processes in the past 17

2.1 Sociolinguistic change in the recent past: /r/ in New York City 17

2.2 Sociolinguistic change in the more distant past 26

2.3 Discussion 40

Further reading 41

Some issues to consider 42

3 Standardization 43

3.1 Theories of linguistic dominance, subordination and standardization 43

3.2 The standardization of early Modern English 48

3.3 The development of an English standard 51

3.4 The dialectalisation of Scots 66

3.5 Conclusions 75

Further reading 76

Some issues to consider 76

4 Codification and ideology 78

4.1 Modern ideologies of language 78

4.2 The codification of English 80

4.3 Towards a middle class culture 85

4.4 USA: pluralism, unity, purism 95

4.5 Lower middle class language ideologies in modern Britain and beyond 105

4.6 Discussion 107

Further reading 108

Some issues to consider 108

5 Contact and shift as agents of change 109

5.1 Typological change from Old English to Middle English 109

5.2 Language contact as catalyst 121

5.3 Language contact from a theoretical viewpoint 127

5.4 Weighing up the evidence: contact and linguistic change 144

5.5 Discussion 150

Further reading 151

Some issues to consider 151

6 Linguistic contact and new dialect formation 154

6.1 Colonial dialects: an introduction 154

6.2 Theoretical models 158

6.3 Case studies 168

6.4 Conclusion 194

Further reading 194

Some issues to consider 194

7 Some final thoughts 196

References 199

Index 213