Last update:
9 February 2010
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Creole DiscourseExploring prestige formation and change across Caribbean English-lexicon Creoles
2002. xiv, 332 pp.
Publishing status: Available
Hardbound
– In stock
978 90 272 5246 3 / EUR 120.00 978 1 58811 297 2 / USD 180.00
e-Book
– Available from e-book platforms
Creole languages are characteristically associated with a negative image. How has this prestige been formed? And is it as static as the diglossic situation in many anglo-creolophone societies seems to suggest? This volume examines socio-historical and epistemological factors in the prestige formation of Caribbean English-Lexicon Creoles and subjects their classification as a (socio)linguistic type to scrutiny and critical debate. In its analysis of rich empirical data this study also demonstrates that the uses, functions and negotiations of Creole within particular social and linguistic practices have shifted considerably. Rather than limiting its scope to one "national" speech community, the discussion focusses on changes of the social meaning of Creole in various discursive fields, such as inter generational changes of Creole use in the London Diaspora, diachronic changes of Creole representation in written texts, and diachronic changes of Creole representation in translation. The study employs a discourse analytical approach drawing on linguistic models as well as Foucauldian theory.
Table of contents
“Mühleisen's major contribution with this book is to provide a solid rationale for understanding the need for a shift in how research into the complex nature of social prestige for Caribbean English-lexicon Creoles must be conducted.”
Elizabeth Grace Winkler, University of Arizona on Linguist List 15-724, 2004
“While the broad social structure of Anglophone Caribbean societies remains largely unchanged, the functions and treatment of Carribean English-lexicon creoles have shifted perceptibly during the last few decades. Mühleisen has undertaken a detailed study of this shift, focusing on the formation and development of prestige in specific environments and domains. Her dynamic approach contrasts significantly with the traditional static treatments of status, functions and attitudes where these language varieties are concerned. [...] Mühleisen is to be congratulated for her original and perceptive approach to the question of Creole prestige and for the thoroughness, clarity and consistency of her treatment. Her book undoubtedly marks another important milestone in creole studies.”
“The book is to be commended not only for the empirical analyses but also for the way it brings together a variety of interesting aspects whose connections have so far not often been considered and its innovative approach to the issue of language prestige. It will be especially valuable for the more sociolinguistically oriented among Creolists but it also addresses questions which ought to be of more general interest in the field, such as the formation of the concept of Creole.”
“For a fresh (i.e. interdisciplinary) look at an old problem, Mühleisen’s book will be welcomed by sociolinguists, discourse theorists, anthropologists, and many others.”
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Linguistics