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FormatJournal Article
Author, AnalyticHuffines, Marion Lois
Title, AnalyticLexical Borrowing and Linguistic Convergence in Pennsylvania German
Journal TitleYearbook of German-American Studies
Date of Publication1988
Volume ID23
Location in Work59-71
AbstractThe purpose of this study is to document the distribution of English vocabulary words across Pennsylvania German speech communities and to view that distribution within the context of linguistic convergence. Three areas are of concern: (1) the distribution of English borrowings across Pennsylvania German communities; (2) the effect of morphological integration; and (3) the influence of borrowing on syntax and discourse behavior. It is argued that in language contact lexical borrowing initiates and drives the process of convergence. As borrowing becomes more obvious, speakers also begin to question the integrity of the borrowing (minority) language. Extensive borrowing may consequently lead speakers to adopt the dominant language for all their communicative needs.
Call NumberMKI Periodicals
MKI TermsPennsylvania-German dialect/ Language, German (US) -- Dialects/ Language influence/ Languages in contact