Article published In: Asia-Pacific Language Variation
Vol. 9:1 (2023) ► pp.59–82
Variability or its loss in creole endangerment
The case of Baba Malay
Published online: 24 July 2023
https://doi.org/10.1075/aplv.22003.lee
https://doi.org/10.1075/aplv.22003.lee
Abstract
A language’s endangerment is said to be typified by variation accompanied by some degree of unpredictability. This paper examines if this characterization is appropriate of Baba Malay, an endangered creole, as it is spoken in Singapore. Recent work suggests that the language is much less variable than one expects of a creole. A comparison between historical Baba Malay material and newer Baba Malay material, focusing on the language’s pronominal system, and aspectual and tense system, demonstrates that this is indeed the case. Such variation or an increasing lack of it is not unpredictable, stemming not only from natural language change, but also from changes in the language’s socio-environment. Increasing lack of proficiency in the component languages and a desire among speakers to distinguish themselves from speakers of the lexifier variety may explain some loss in Baba Malay’s variability.
Abstract (Baba Malay)
Kalo bahasa mo ilang, tu bahasa mesti ada variasi. Sini, kita tanya kalo Bahasa Melayu Baba kat Singapore pun ada variasi. Kerja baru tunjok ni bahasa kreol kurang variasi daripada kreol biasa. Bandingkan dulu lama mia Bahasa Melayu Baba sama sekarang mia Bahasa Melayu Baba, ni artikel tunjok sekarang mia bahasa kurang variasi daripada dulu lama mia bahasa, pasair bahasa tukair untok sebab natural, pasair bahasa tukair untok sebab sosial.
Article outline
- 1.Introduction
- 2.Sociological background of Baba Malay then and now
- 3.Data
- 4.Variability or the lack of it
- 4.1Variability in Baba Malay’s pronominal system
- 4.2Variability in Baba Malay’s aspectual and tense system
- 5.Discussion
- Notes
References
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