Dialectology as dialectic : interpreting Phula variation / by Jamin R. Pelkey.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Pelkey, Jamin R., 1974-

Series:

Trends in linguistics. Studies and monographs ; 229.

Trends in linguistics. Studies and monographs, 1861-4302 ; 229

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Yi language--Dialectology.

Yi language.

Yi language--Phonology.

Yi (Chinese people)--Languages.

Yi (Chinese people).

Yi (Chinese people)--Ethnic identity.

Anthropological linguistics--China--Yunnan Sheng.

Anthropological linguistics.

Anthropological linguistics--Vietnam.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (532 p.)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Berlin ; New York : De Gruyter Mouton, c2011.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

Dialectology proper has traditionally focused on the geographic distribution of language variation as an end in itself and has remained relatively segregated from other branches of linguistic and extra-linguistic inquiry. Cross-fertilizing winds have been blowing through the field for more than a decade, but much work remains for adequate synthesis. This book seeks to further the interdisciplinary integration of the field by highlighting, and harnessing, the many dialectic tensions inherent in language variation research and dialect definition. Undertaking a broadscale experiment in applied dialectics, the book demonstrates multiple grounds for insisting on a more robust, integrational approach to dialectology while simultaneously demonstrating grounds for defining the Phula languages of China and Vietnam. The Phula languages belong to the Burmic sub-branch of the Tibeto-Burman family and are primarily spoken in southeastern Yunnan Province, China. With origins as early as the ninth century, these language varieties have been left undefined, and largely unresearched, for hundreds of years. Based on extensive original fieldwork, the book identifies 24 synchronic Phula languages descended from three distinct macro-clades diachronically. This is accomplished by blending typological-descriptive, historical-comparative and socio-cognitive perspectives. Diagnostics include both qualitative and quantitative measurements, and insights from history, geography, ethnology, language contact, sociolinguistics and more are called on for data interpretation. This dialogic approach incorporates complexity by asserting that dialectology itself best flourishes as an interdependent dialectic - a dynamic synthesis of competing perspectives.

Contents:

Frontmatter

Preface

Acknowledgements

Contents

List of maps

List of tables

List of figures

General abbreviations

Data source abbreviations

Chapter 1 Introduction Synchronic Phula in diachronic perspective

Chapter 2 Research background Field methods, theory, and dialectology

Chapter 3 Synchronic language definitions Identity, intelligibility, and contact

Chapter 4 Ethnolinguistic vitality Contact, endangerment and shift

Chapter 5 Phula phonologies Five representative sketches

Chapter 6 The language clades of Phula Proper Establishing historical subgroupings

Chapter 7 Phula and Southeastern Ngwi Sani, Axi, Azhe, Azha, Nisu, and Phula Proper

Chapter 8 Conclusion Diachronic Phula in synchronic perspective

Appendix A Sociolinguistic questionnaires

Appendix B Lexical elicitation datasheet sample

Appendix C Similarity and distance matrices

Appendix D Sample RTT translation

Notes

References

Index

Notes:

Revision of author's (doctoral) thesis--LaTrobe University, Australia, 2008.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9786613166012

9781283166010

1283166011

9783110245851

311024585X

OCLC:

735604065