Salient stages in contact-induced grammatical change : evidence from synchronic vs. diachronic contact situations

Publication type
A1
Publication status
Published
Authors
Backus, A., Doğruöz, A.S., & Heine, B.
Journal
LANGUAGE SCIENCES
Volume
33
Issue
5
Pagination
738-752
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Abstract

Contact between languages often leads to linguistic changes. Although the social factors and the typological characteristics of the languages influence the change process, the inter- action between these factors is not well-known. This is partially due to the fact that the long-term and short-term effects of language contact are rarely brought together and compared systematically. In this study, we will outline a model of contact-induced change that combines synchronic usage with diachronic development through employing a usage-based approach. In addition, we argue against the separation of grammar from meaning and claim that the meaning of a form is a natural part of the change process it is involved in.