Limonese Syllable Structure: Language Innovation in Creoles

Marisol Joseph-Haynes; Camille A. Wagner Rodríguez; Yolanda Rivera Castillo

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Chapter 5 Limonese Syllable Structure: Language Innovation in Creoles

In: When Creole and Spanish Collide

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Marisol Joseph-Haynes

Marisol Joseph-Haynes
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Camille A. Wagner Rodríguez

Camille A. Wagner Rodríguez
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Yolanda Rivera Castillo

Yolanda Rivera Castillo
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Type:: Chapter

Pages:: 100–125

DOI:: https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004460157_006

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Abstract

This chapter describes Limonese Creole syllable structure, demonstrating that this language represents the result of innovations, rather than constituting exclusively the outcome from processes of borrowing, transfer, or substitution, typically originating in language contact. These conclusions run against some well-established beliefs concerning Creole languages. Given its socio-historical situation, Limonese is under “strong structural pressure” (Thomason & Kaufmann, 1991) from Spanish, so we would expect it to suffer loss of distinctions and the incorporation of new features from the dominant language. Limonese is also in contact with English through schooling and foreigners (“intense contact”); and it should incorporate some of its features through loans. Based on spontaneous speech samples, this chapter presents a phonetic analysis of clusters in syllable initial and final position, and of voiceless consonants in final position. The findings indicate that, except for voicing of final consonants, Spanish has little influence on its syllable structure, and that Limonese differs from English in the properties displayed by its final clusters. We conclude that for speakers under great social pressure, as is the case of Limonese, the native language represents part of their social identity, and innovations distinguish their vernacular from the lexifier (English) and the dominant language (Spanish).

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When Creole and Spanish Collide

Language and Cultural Contact in the Caribbean

Series: Caribbean Series, Volume: 39

E-Book ISBN:: 9789004460157

Publisher:: Brill

Print Publication Date:: 04 May 2021

Subjects
- American Studies
  - Latin America
- Languages and Linguistics
  - Multilingualism & Language Contact
  - Sociolinguistics

Front Matter

Part 1 Semiotics and Literary Imaginings in Creole Contexts

Part 2 Linguistic Clash and Consequence

Part 3 Creole Counter-Clash

Part 4 Evolving Ethnicities in the Diaspora

Part 5 Living Linguistic Identities and Ideologies

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Chapter 5 Limonese Syllable Structure: Language Innovation in Creoles

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When Creole and Spanish Collide

Language and Cultural Contact in the Caribbean

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