Calibrate to innovate: community age vectors and the real time incrementation of language change

Holmes-Elliott, Sophie (2020) Calibrate to innovate: community age vectors and the real time incrementation of language change. Language in Society, 0, 1-34. (doi:10.1017/S0047404520000834).

Record type: Article

Abstract

This study investigates children’s real time incrementation of language change as it is impacted by community wide patterns of linguistic variability. The investigation combines apparent time analyses across an age-stratified sample of adult speakers, with real time analyses across a panel of speakers spanning childhood to adolescence. Three variables are analysed: GOOSE-fronting, a socially unmarked change; TH-fronting, a socially stigmatised, rapidly expanding change; and T-glottaling a socially stigmatised, steadily shifting change. Variables are selected based on their social and generational profiles which present learners with more or less challenging community patterns to extract. Real time analyses confirm that community variance impacts on speakers’ ability to increment change in real time. Findings provide support for the momentum based model of language change and builds on Labov’s (2012:267) theory of the ‘outward orientation’ of children which views learners as capable of extracting age vectors from generational differences.

Text

Holmes Elliott 2020 Calibrate to innovate Preprint draft - Author's Original

Restricted to Repository staff only

Request a copy

Text

Holmes Elliott LSY2000083 - Accepted Manuscript

Available under License Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial No Derivatives.

Download (1MB)