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Violable Is Variable: Optimality Theory and Linguistic Variation.
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Guy, Gregory R. – Language Variation and Change, 1997
Compares models of Optimality Theory (OT) and Variable Rules (VR), arguing that VR is superior on theoretical and empirical grounds: constraint effects are stable, transparent, learnable. Moreover, VR's probabilistic treatment of constraint effects allows successful modeling of cases in which multiple violations of a single constraint lead to…
Descriptors: Comparative Analysis, Grammar, Language Patterns, Language Universals
Linguistic Change in Endangered Dialects: The Case of Alternation between "Avoir" and "Etre" in Vermont French.
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Russo, Marijke; Roberts, Julie – Language Variation and Change, 1999
Examines the pattern of variation of the auxiliary "avoir" and "etre" in the passe compose tense in Vermont French in 22 adult speakers who immigrated from Quebec or are first-generation Franco-Americans. The purpose of the study was to determine if the process of replacement of "etre" by "avoir" in progress…
Descriptors: Adults, French, Interviews, Language Patterns
Directionality in Linguistic Change and Acquisition.
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Gomes, Christina Abreu – Language Variation and Change, 1999
Focuses on the directionality observed in the processes of change and acquisition of the prepositions that replaced Latin cases in the speech of Rio de Janeiro and in the contact Portuguese spoken by Brazilian Indians in the region of Xingu. (Author/VWL)
Descriptors: Case (Grammar), Diachronic Linguistics, Foreign Countries, Indigenous Populations
Extension Particles, Etc.
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Dubois, Sylvie – Language Variation and Change, 1992
A study of the use of phrase-terminal extension particles in Montreal (Canada) French analyzed composition, sociodemographic patterns of occurrence, and discourse functions of 76 particle types in 4 distinct classes. (MSE)
Descriptors: Discourse Analysis, Foreign Countries, Form Classes (Languages), French
Some Patterns of Linguistic Diffusion.
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Baily, Guy; And Others – Language Variation and Change, 1993
This article uses data from the random sample telephone survey portion of the Survey of Oklahoma Dialects to explore the spatial diffusion of linguistic innovations in Oklahoma. The data show that, although some linguistic innovations diffuse hierarchically, others diffuse contrahierarchically, whereas still others diffuse in complex patterns that…
Descriptors: Age Differences, Diction, Diffusion (Communication), Grammar
Ambiguous Agreement, Functional Compensation, and Nonspecific "tu" in the Spanish of San Juan, Puerto Rico and Madrid, Spain.
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Cameron, Richard – Language Variation and Change, 1993
Investigated the potential correlation of agreement marking with the expression of pronominal subjects in the speech of 10 Spanish speakers from Puerto Rico and 10 from Spain. The results show not only similar patterns of pronominal expression but also similar rankings of constraints on pronominal expression in both dialects. (MDM)
Descriptors: Descriptive Linguistics, Dialects, Discourse Analysis, Foreign Countries
Discourse Markers in the Spoken Portuguese of Rio de Janeiro.
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de Olveira e Silva, Giselle M.; de Macedo, Alzira Tavares – Language Variation and Change, 1992
A study analyzed four major classes of discourse marker in Brazilian Portuguese: "ne" and other requests for feedback; "ai," a sequential connector; "ah, bom," and other turn initiators; and "assim," a marker of explanation. Distribution in various discourse functions and sociodemographic conditioning, and…
Descriptors: Comparative Analysis, Contrastive Linguistics, Discourse Analysis, English