The Geolinguistic Diffusion of Lexically Enregistered Variants in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula

Abstract

This geolinguistic study investigates perceptions of usage frequency and local identity connection for seven distinctive words in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula (U.P.): camp, chook, choppers, cudighi, pank, sisu, and swampers. Data were collected from 860 participants through an on-line survey, incorporating demographic details and hometown zip codes. Participants’ attitudes were evaluated using two 5-point Likert scales, assessing perceived frequency of use and importance to identity. The study reveals a tight correlation between these variables for each word, alongside unique geographic distribution patterns across the U.P. of Michigan. The findings highlight the enregisterment of these terms within various U.P. speech communities, influenced by processes of koineization, reallocation, and commodification. The words exhibit cultural significance and usage that are geolinguistically distinct, often delineated by a west-east divide in the region. This research illustrates how these unique U.P. words not only embody regional linguistic identity but are also shaped by the convergence of diverse sociolinguistic processes, adding to the rich and dynamic linguistic environment of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.