Breton morphosyntax in two generations of speakers : evidence from word order and mutation
Following a decline over the twentieth century, Breton has seen an increase in revival efforts, including Breton-medium education. This study investigates the effect of the language transmission gap on the morphosyntax of verbs. Fieldwork was undertaken with three distinct age groups: older native speakers (aged over 65), and two groups which make up a younger generation of speakers: children in Breton-medium education, and young adults who have been schooled in Breton. The question of word order and the placement of verbs in Breton has been controversial, largely because it is complex and variable, making the identification of basic word order difficult. The data show that usage across the older generation is fairly consistent, with V2 word order in matrix clauses. Verbal mutation is also maintained. Despite the transmission gap, younger adults from French-speaking homes do not systematically replace Breton patterns with French SVO. Rather, they avoid SVO in some contexts, and indeed use it less than the senior adults. The amount of input speakers receive is crucial: children in bilingual schooling, with only half of their classes in Breton, tend to oversimplify word order patterns and show French influence.
Kennard, Holly Jane
Linguistics ; Celtic ; Breton ; Language revival ; Morphosyntax
Breton morphosyntax in two generations of speakers : evidence from word order and mutation. Following a decline over the twentieth century, Breton has seen an increase in revival efforts, including Breton-medium education. This study investigates the effect of the language transmission gap on the morphosyntax of verbs. Fieldwork was undertaken with three distinct age groups: older native speakers (aged over 65), and two groups which make up a younger generation of speakers: children in Breton-medium education, and young adults who have been schooled in Breton. The question of word order and the placement of verbs in Breton has been controversial, largely because it is complex and variable, making the identification of basic word order difficult. The data show that usage across the older generation is fairly consistent, with V2 word order in matrix clauses. Verbal mutation is also maintained. Despite the transmission gap, younger adults from French-speaking homes do not systematically replace Breton patterns with French SVO. Rather, they avoid SVO in some contexts, and indeed use it less than the senior adults. The amount of input speakers receive is crucial: children in bilingual schooling, with only half of their classes in Breton, tend to oversimplify word order patterns and show French influence.
breton morphosyntax generation speaker evidence word_order mutation following decline breton see_increase revival effort include breton medium_education study_investigates effect language transmission gap morphosyntax verb fieldwork undertaken three_distinct age_group old native_speaker age two_group make young generation speaker child breton medium_education young_adult school breton question word_order placement verbs breton controversial largely complex variable make identification basic word_order difficult data_show usage across old generation fairly consistent word_order matrix clause verbal mutation also maintain despite transmission gap young_adult french speaking home systematically replace breton pattern french svo rather avoid svo context indeed use less senior adult amount input speaker receive crucial child bilingual schooling half class breton tend oversimplify word_order pattern show french_influence