Mixed language

Mixed language is in linguistics, a fuzzy -defined term for languages ​​that ( rarely more) languages ​​originated through intensive contact between two and combine distinct properties of both source languages ​​in themselves. As a rule, is only spoken by a mixed language, when the influence of one on the other language is not in the vocabulary ( lexis ) remains limited, but also includes the acquisition of elements of grammar. Most acts of a mixed languages ​​as a substrate or source language - this is usually the language whose speakers have a lower social prestige. The other language is called the superstrate language and, in the case of clearly directed development, as the target language.

For mixed languages ​​are distinct natural languages ​​with a defined feedback apparatus that remain constant in their properties for a longer period. They are clearly different from spontaneous speech mixing ( code-switching, code mixing, borrowing ) in which vary the type and extent of mixing from speaker to speaker and situation to situation. However, such states may be precursors of mixed languages ​​.

Background

The formation of mixed languages ​​requires that certain social conditions prevail. While these conditions must favor that the substrate language is abandoned in favor of the superstrate language, but on the other hand prevent the new language is completely learned and adopted without change on the one hand. For example, lead in a language contact situation large differences in the social prestige of the languages ​​to the fact that the source language is partially abandoned. Simultaneously, a weakly developed bilingualism and a lack of "accessibility" of the target language can have the consequence that a part of the population the new language only partially mastered and mixed with the source language. If the separation between the two communities of speakers too large, the target language can not act as a corrective, and obtain certain key areas of the source language, such as phonology or morphology remain.

A broader definition of mixed language also involves such languages ​​with one in which only dates back a substantial part of its vocabulary from another language. This also shows a rule that the first such borrowings areas of lexis concern, related to the new social situation in context. The basic vocabulary is often unchanged in the mixed language.

Special mixed languages ​​are pidgins and creoles, and language, which have evolved from former special languages ​​such as slang or a lingua franca. These languages ​​differ from prototypical mixed languages ​​by peculiarities of their development. With respect to special languages ​​called " Gaunersprache " the origin lies in a partly conscious mixing of languages ​​, which should guarantee that the language can be understood only for the initiated. In pidgin and lingua franca of the facilitation of communication was, for example, in commercial situations in the foreground. Especially when this initially purely dedicated code by running its own independent development and is used even as a native language, a classification is close to a mixed language.

The classification of creoles as a special case of a mixed language based on two aspects of the Creoles: On the one hand has long been believed (and some still do) that form creoles by a special process called creolization. Hence the case is meant that ( especially young ) generate pidgin speakers at a particular time in a particular generation from the unsystematic starting material of their Pidgins a fully grammatikalisierte language spontaneously. Such a development is seen in any of the classical mixed languages ​​, so far can be a special case of creoles justify. However, the existence of such a process is increasingly contested. Second, it is assumed that creole languages ​​- in contrast to classical mixing languages ​​whose grammar consists of bits and pieces of both languages ​​- a grammar form, which is simpler than all source languages ​​. Creole languages ​​would thus thereby distinguished from other mixed languages ​​that they have, regardless of their geographical distribution, a specific, simplified " Kreolgrammatik ". This assessment is also in doubt, as the supposedly simplified grammar of most Creole languages ​​can be explained on the influence of West African Kwa languages. Historically creoles were thus mixed languages ​​from these African languages ​​and the related European superstrates (English, French, Dutch, etc.).

Languages ​​and examples

  • Anglo - Romani - Romani English (United Kingdom )
  • Calo - Romani-Spanisch/Portugiesisch (Spain, Brazil, France, Portugal)
  • Camtho - Zulu - Bantu (South Africa)
  • Kwelja - German - Russian ( Russians in Germany )
  • Jenischhaus - Deutsch-Jiddisch/Hebräisch-Romani-Rotwelsch ( Germany, Switzerland )
  • Kaqchikel K'iche' mixed language - Kaqchikel Quiché (Guatemala)
  • Lomwe / Malawi - Makhua - Nyanja (Malawi )
  • Mbugu / Ma 'a - Bantu Cushitic (Tanzania )
  • Media Lengua - Spanish - Quechua (Ecuador)
  • Michif - French - Cree (USA, Canada)
  • Namlish - Namibian- English ( Namibia)
  • Norwegian Romani - Romani Rotwelsch Norwegian (Norway )
  • Ponaschemu - German Lower Sorbian ( Germany )
  • Ponglisch - Polish English (Poland including in the U.S., Canada, UK )
  • Swedish Romani - Romani Swedish ( Sweden, Norway)
  • Shelta - Irish and others ( Ireland, U.S., UK )
  • Tagdal - Songhai Berber (Niger )
  • Wutunhua - Chinese- Tibetan - Mongolian ( China)

Northern Germany

There are also several mixed languages ​​in northern Germany:

  • Missingsch of High German and Low German
  • Petuh in the Flensburg area of High German, Low German, Danish, and standard Sønderjysk

It is controversial how far Sydslesvigdansk can be regarded as a variety of the Danish kingdom, a dialect of Danish or as a mixed language (similar to Northern Schleswig German ):

  • Sydslesvigdansk from Standard Danish, High German and Low German part - slang of the Danish minority in South Schleswig ( Germany )

Michif

In Michif is a mixed language of French and Cree, an Algonquian language. The noun in Michif derived from the French, the verbs - including flexion - from the Cree.

Examples ( from Bakker & Papen ( ref: 1997 ): 336f ):

The French words contained in the sentences are sa tête - la tortue in the first and un bébé - la princesse in the second. For details see the article for grammar and Michif Algonquian language.

Media Lengua

Media Lengua is a mixed language spoken in Ecuador, whose vocabulary is derived almost exclusively from Spanish, whose grammar was however taken ( morphology and syntax) from the Quechua.

Example ( from Muysken ( ref: 1997 ): 365 ):

For comparison, the same set in

  • Quechua: Shuk fabur -da -bu -nga maña shamu - xu -ni.
  • Spanish: Vengo para pedir un favor.
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