Code Copying and the Strength of Languages

Lars Johanson; Éva Á. Csató

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Chapter 19 Code Copying and the Strength of Languages

In: The Art of Language

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Lars Johanson

Lars Johanson
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Éva Á. Csató

Éva Á. Csató
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Type:: Chapter

Pages:: 302–315

DOI:: https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004510395_020

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Abstract

The chapter contributes to the discussion of how linguists can lead communities to adapt successful strategies for maintaining languages. Contact-induced code copying can keep copying varieties strong and thereby contribute to their retention. The framework is the Code-Copying Model. Take-Over copying is in effect when speakers of a primary code (L1) take over copies from a secondary code (L2). Carry-Over copying occurs when speakers of a primary code (L1) carry over copies from this code into their own variety of a secondary code (L2). Both types can strengthen the copying varieties and thereby be felicitous for their maintenance. Copying makes the varieties more viable, e.g. via shared lexical items, shared typological patterns, simplification of grammatical systems. No language has become extinct because of intensive copying. The linguist’s responsibility to document and reconstruct a diachronically and typologically coherent body of data may threaten languages when it gets reflected in the communities efforts to purify their language and make a pre-contact state of the language the target of maintenance or revitalization. Such efforts often reduce the chances for language retention. Strong high-copying varieties and weak purified varieties will illustrate this. The motivation to copy is to accommodate the variety to the communicative needs of the speakers. High-copying varieties can be instrumental in the maintenance of less-copying varieties. In language revitalization, the acquisition of a high-copying variety is easier than the acquisition of a purified variety.

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The Art of Language

Series: Brill's Studies in Language, Cognition and Culture, Volume: 32

E-Book ISBN:: 9789004510395

Publisher:: Brill

Print Publication Date:: 21 Apr 2022

Subjects
- Languages and Linguistics
  - Psycholinguistics & Language and Cognition
  - Sociolinguistics

Front Matter

Part 1 How to Be Welcoming and Hospitable

Part 2 How to Imbue Words with Power

Part 3 How to Keep Languages Strong

Part 4 How to Make Language Transparent

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Chapter 19 Code Copying and the Strength of Languages

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The Art of Language

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