The immigrant factor in phonological leveling

This chapter investigates the relationship between immigration and the generally high degree of phonological leveling in France in the latter part of the 20th. century. It draws together the findings of a number of studies of the pronunciation of young people of Maghrebian origin in French cities (Paris, Grenoble, Marseille, Lille) in the late 20th century, with special reference to Lille in the later sections. Some common patterns emerge. Far from exhibiting a strong migrant variety, the speech of young people of Maghrebian origin conforms, in general, to the classic sociolinguistic pattern of their metropolitan French peers, the boys maintaining marked regional features, generally as minority variants, to a greater extent than the girls.