Abstract
This chapter looks at language retention on the level of the individual rather than on that of the community, in order to shed light on sources of language loyalty. It is commonplace, in communities where a language shift is underway, for some individuals to be in the vanguard and some to lag behind. Where the laggards are individuals who are more proficient in the language which is giving way, their position is easily understood. Another group of laggards may exist whose resistance to shift is far more difficult to fathom. The semi-speakers, persist in speaking a language which has low prestige and limited currency despite the fact that they speak it imperfectly and in some cases haltingly. Neither in eastern Sutherland, nor in Berks County, are the bilinguals unaware of the language shift in progress. The semi-speaker phenomenon is apparently not universally characteristic of dying languages and dialects.Keywords: community; dialects; dying language; eastern Sutherland; group of laggards; individual; laggard semi-speaker; language loyalty; language shift
Published Version
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
