Language Change and Functional Explanations PDF
Preview Language Change and Functional Explanations
Language Change and Functional Explanations W DE G Trends in Linguistics Studies and Monographs 98 Editor Werner Winter Mouton de Gruyter Berlin · New York Language Change and Functional Explanations edited by Jadranka Gvozdanovic Mouton de Gruyter Berlin - New York 1997 Mouton de Gruyter (formerly Mouton, The Hague) is a Division of Walter de Gruyter & Co., Berlin. Printed on acid-free paper which falls within the guidelines of the ANSI to ensure permanence and durability. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication-Data Language change and functional explanations / edited by Ja- dranka Gvozdanovic p. cm. - (Trends in linguistics. Studies and monographs ; 98). Selected papers of a conference on Functional Explana- tions of Language Change, Sept. 2 and 3, 1994, University of Amsterdam. Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 3-11-014913-3 1. Linguistic change-Congresses. 2. Functionalism (Lin- guistics)-Congresses. I. Gvozdanovic, Jadranka. II. Series. P142.L255 1996 417-dc21 96-46266 CIP Die Deutsche Bibliothek — Cataloging-in-Publication-Data Language change and functional explanations / ed. by Jadranka Gvozdanovic. - Berlin ; New York : Mouton de Gruyter, 1997 (Trends in linguistics : Studies and monographs ; 98) ISBN 3-11-014913-3 NE: Gvozdanovic, Jadranka [Hrsg.]; Trends in Linguistics / Studies and monographs © Copyright 1997 by Walter de Gruyter & Co., D-10785 Berlin All rights reserved, including those of translation into foreign languages. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechan- ical, including photocopy, recording or any information storage and retrieval system, with- out permission in writing from the publisher. Diskconversion: Fotosatz-Service Köhler OHG, Würzburg. Printing: Ratzlow-Druck, Berlin. Binding: Lüderitz & Bauer, Berlin. Printed in Germany. In memory of Simon C. Dik (1940-1995) who was still with us at IFOTT when this work came into being. Preface The papers in this volume are a selection of those presented at a conference on Functional Explanations of Language Change, held on September 2 and 3, 1994, at the Institute for Functional Research of Language and Language Use (IFOTT) at the University of Amsterdam, in part sponsored by the Dutch Graduate School in Linguistics (LOT).1 They reflect the comprehensive and interdisciplinary orientation of the organizing institute, which has at the same time benefitted from the invited foreign expertise. As stated by Lachlan Mackenzie, chairman of the IFOTT Board in his opening words at the conference, we have a better understanding of what 'function' is now than a few decennia ago, and we have various theories in which this notion plays a crucial role. Even if we grant that explanation in the very strongest sense - as prediction in reverse — is unattainable in a science that is dealing with human beings and the vicissitudes of their behavior, individually and in groups, we must feel confident that we now have ways of making language change intelligible. The present volume will hopefully provoke future discussions, further deepening our understanding of the field. 1 Special thanks are due to Casper de Groot, Louis Pols, and Yvonne Sanders of the IFOTT Directorial for their support in the organization of the workshop, and to Mouton de Gruyter for the expedient and pleasant collaboration in the preparation of this book. Contents Jadranka Gvozdanovic Introduction l Functional and cognitive aspects of change Rudi Keller In what sense can explanations of language change be functional? 9 Erica Garcia Grasping the invisible hand 21 Stig Eliasson The cognitive calculus and its function in language 53 Jadranka Gvozdanovic Tracing the origin of a change 71 Lourens de Vries The rise of switch-reference in the Awyu languages of Irian Jaya 89 Linguistic activity and change Wolfgang U. Dressler "Scenario" as a concept for the functional explanation of language change 109 Cor van Bree Changes in diminutive formation in the eastern Dutch dialect ofTwente 143
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