LINGUIST List 23.152 Mon Jan 09 2012 Diss: Socioling/Syntax: 'A Window on the Past, A Move Toward the ...' Editor for this issue: Xiyan Wang <xiyanlinguistlist.org> To post to LINGUIST, use our convenient web form at http://linguistlist.org/LL/posttolinguist.cfm. Directory         1.     Philip Comeau , A Window on the Past, A Move Toward the Future: Sociolinguistic and formal perspectives on variation in Acadian French Message 1: A Window on the Past, A Move Toward the Future: Sociolinguistic and formal perspectives on variation in Acadian French Date: 08-Jan-2012 From: Philip Comeau <pcomeauyorku.ca> Subject: A Window on the Past, A Move Toward the Future: Sociolinguistic and formal perspectives on variation in Acadian French E-mail this message to a friend Institution: York University Program: Linguistics and Applied Linguistics Dissertation Status: Completed Degree Date: 2011 Author: Philip Comeau Dissertation Title: A Window on the Past, A Move Toward the Future: Sociolinguistic and formal perspectives on variation in Acadian French Linguistic Field(s): Sociolinguistics                             Syntax Subject Language(s): French (fra) Dissertation Director: Raymond Mougeon Ruth King Gabriela Alboiu Dissertation Abstract: This dissertation examines variation in mood choice and in the expression of future temporal reference in a conservative variety of Acadian French. The data come from two sociolinguistic corpora representative of the variety spoken in the Baie Sainte-Marie area of southwest Nova Scotia. Since varieties of Acadian French preserve features lost in most other contemporary varieties, they offer a unique opportunity to study linguistic systems closely related to earlier stages of the language. The methodological and theoretical approaches involve both variationist sociolinguistics and generative theories of grammar, thus combining two areas of research not usually brought together. The study focuses on two linguistic variables: 1) use of the subjunctive vs. other moods (indicative and conditional), and 2) expression of future temporal reference (inflected future vs. periphrastic future). The analysis of the subjunctive shows that there is actually little variation and the subjunctive mood is well preserved. The variation which is observed can be accounted for by assuming that mood choice turns on the presence or absence of a semantic feature, assertion. The results for the future temporal reference variable show, contrary to what has been found for Laurentian varieties, that the inflected future remains in robust use, with the strongest predictor of variant choice being temporal reference, with proximate actions favouring the periphrastic future. The future results are in line with both prior studies of Acadian French and with grammarians' characterization of the latter variant as 'le futur proche'. The results also differ from those of studies of Laurentian varieties in that sentential polarity plays no role in conditioning variant choice. The formal analysis accounts for variation by positing two loci of variation (one pre-syntax and one post-syntax) which accurately predicts the observed frequencies of the variants. Overall, this dissertation shows that while there may be variable usage there is no evidence of change in the linguistic system for these two variables, thus supporting the characterization of this variety of Acadian French as conservative. The formal analyses contribute to an emerging line of research, sometimes referred to as sociosyntax, which aims at accounting for variation within the grammar. Read more issues|LINGUIST home page|Top of issue Page Updated: 09-Jan-2012       About LINGUIST    |   Contact Us       While the LINGUIST List makes every effort to ensure the linguistic relevance of sites listed on its pages, it cannot vouch for their contents.