First published: 19981 languageISBN: 9780521593823
Description
"This study focuses on the cognitive processes involved in creole genesis - reflexification, reanalysis and dialect levelling - processes which the author demonstrates play a significant role in language genesis and change in general." "Dr. Lefebvre argues that the creators of pidgins/creoles use the parametric values of their native languages in establishing those of the language that they are creating and the semantic principles of their own grammar in concatenating morphemes and words in the new language. This theory is documented on the basis of a uniquely detailed comparison of Haitian creole with its contributing French and West African languages."--Jacket.