LINGUIST List 20.1184: Anthro Ling/Socioling: Mitchell: 'St. Lucian Kwéyòl in St. ...'

LINGUIST List 20.1184

Tue Mar 31 2009

Diss: Anthro Ling/Socioling: Mitchell: 'St. Lucian Kwéyòl in St. ...'

Editor for this issue: Evelyn Richter <evelynlinguistlist.org>

1. Edward Mitchell, St. Lucian Kwéyòl in St. Croix: A study of language choice and attitudes

Message 1: St. Lucian Kwéyòl in St. Croix: A study of language choice and attitudes
Date: 31-Mar-2009
From: Edward Mitchell <emitchellcoqui.net>
Subject: St. Lucian Kwéyòl in St. Croix: A study of language choice and attitudes
E-mail this message to a friend

Institution: University of Puerto Rico Program: Department of English Dissertation Status: Completed Degree Date: 2009

Author: Edward S. Mitchell

Dissertation Title: St. Lucian Kwéyòl in St. Croix: A study of language choice and attitudes

Linguistic Field(s): Anthropological Linguistics Sociolinguistics
Subject Language(s): Saint Lucian Creole French (acf)
Dissertation Director:
Nicholas G. Faraclas Alma Simounet Mervyn Alleyne
Dissertation Abstract:

This socio- and ethnolinguistic research project examines language choice,language attitudes, ethnolinguistic identity, and bilingualism amongdiaspora speakers of Saint Lucian French-lexifier Creole (Kwéyòl) on theCaribbean island Saint Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands.

In Chapter 2, I describe in detail the socio-economic, political,historical, demographic, and geographic conditions that constituted thematrix of creolization from which St. Lucian Kwéyòl developed and evolved.I then apply the creolization models of Chaudenson (2001), Mufwene (2001),Dalphinis (1985), Alleyne (1996), and Faraclas et al. (2007) to the islandsof St. Lucia and Barbados and comment on the resulting similarities anddifferences in linguistic output.

In Chapter 3, I lay out the theoretical framework for my sociolinguisticstudy on Kwéyòl in St. Croix, beginning with definitions of all terms usedin my research questions, citing sources for both the theoretical frameworkand methodology of my study. Then, I review the work of twelve scholars whohave published studies on Saint Lucian Kwéyòl, along with one relevantstudy on Haitian Kreyòl.

This study has shown that even though Kwéyòl is central to the identity ofSt. Lucians in St. Croix, fewer parents are speaking the language to theirchildren, many of whom, as a consequence, are no longer learning to speakthe language. The results of this research will contribute to theunderstanding of the factors which play a role in the maintenance of thelanguage and ethnolinguistic identity of a 'minority' group whose languageand culture are under threat due to globalization and the concomitantpenetration of U.S. English.

This Year the LINGUIST List hopes to raise $60,000. This money will go to help keep the List running by supporting all of our Student Editors for the coming year. See below for donation instructions, and don't forget to check out our Fund Drive 2009 LINGUIST List Restaurant and join us for a delightful treat! http://linguistlist.org/fund-drive/2009/ There are many ways to donate to LINGUIST! You can donate right now using our secure credit card form at https://linguistlist.org/donation/donate/donate1.cfm Alternatively you can also pledge right now and pay later. To do so, go to: https://linguistlist.org/donation/pledge/pledge1.cfm For all information on donating and pledging, including information on how to donate by check, money order, or wire transfer, please visit: http://linguistlist.org/donate.html The LINGUIST List is under the umbrella of Eastern Michigan University and as such can receive donations through the EMU Foundation, which is a registered 501(c) Non Profit organization. Our Federal Tax number is 38-6005986. These donations can be offset against your federal and sometimes your state tax return (U.S. tax payers only). For more information visit the IRS Web-Site, or contact your financial advisor. Many companies also offer a gift matching program, such that they will match any gift you make to a non-profit organization. Normally this entails your contacting your human resources department and sending us a form that the EMU Foundation fills in and returns to your employer. This is generally a simple administrative procedure that doubles the value of your gift to LINGUIST, without costing you an extra penny. Please take a moment to check if your company operates such a program. Thank you very much for your support of LINGUIST! -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------