Internal and external dimensions of language change: the great divide? Evidence from New Zealand English

Authors
Citation
Nj. Woods, Internal and external dimensions of language change: the great divide? Evidence from New Zealand English, LINGUISTICS, 39(5), 2001, pp. 973-1007
Citations number
82
Categorie Soggetti
Language & Linguistics
Journal title
LINGUISTICS
ISSN journal
00243949 → ACNP
Volume
39
Issue
5
Year of publication
2001
Pages
973 - 1007
Database
ISI
SICI code
0024-3949(2001)39:5<973:IAEDOL>2.0.ZU;2-M
Abstract
In examining and attempting to describe the phenomena of language change, w e have traditionally been faced with an enforced choice between internal an d external explanations (see, for example, Labov, 1972; Ross 1996). Recent research has begun to east doubt upon this dichotomy to the extent that som e now believe that the position that an external cause excludes an internal one (or vice versa) is untenable (Thomason and Kaufman 1988; Romaine 1995; Ross 1996). However, while research has now questioned the divide and has suggested that both internal and external factors may play a part in any si ngle linguistic shift, we are still a long way fi-om understanding how thes e dimensions interact in the mechanism of language change. This paper begin s by providing a critical discussion of the internal versus external dichot omy and proceeds to present a case study of a sound change that reveals the intersection of system-internal and language-external forces. Specifically the paper presents an intergenerational analysis of the shift in the MOUTH diphthong in New Zealand English.