Virtual Convergence and Dialect Levelling in Luxembourgish

Abstract

This paper focuses on the structural modification in a cluster of dialects in Luxembourg by analysing effects of societal modernisation on the sociolinguistic status and the linguistic form of a primarily spoken language. It addresses questions of 'dialect loss', 'dialect levelling', and 'standardisation' (cf. Mattheier 1986, Hinskens 1996). Ongoing changes concerning the regional variation of Letzebuergesch show two partly distinct processes. A general process of 'dialect levelling' leads to a reduction of regional variation. At the same time, dialect differences persist since Luxembourgish dialect features other than the speaker's own are generally accepted; this phenomenon I call 'virtual convergence'