New dialect formation and time depth

Abstract

Linguists have generally studied new dialect formation in varieties with relatively little time depth. In this chapter greater depth is considered in relation to the development of the Scots dialects of Orkney and Shetland, Irish English and Ulster Scots. While lengthier periods of contact do make analysis of the original impact more difficult, it is shown that essentially the same processes have been at work in these contexts as was the case in more recent contacts. Given their contact with the native North Germanic variety of the Northern Isles, the Shetland and Orkney examples lead us into the themes of the next two chapters.