A new role for an ancient variable in Appalachia: Paradigm leveling and standardization in West Virginia. (29th April 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hazen, Kirk
• Is Part Of: Language variation and change. Volume 26:Number 1(2014)
• Page Start: 77
• Page End: 102
• Publication Date: 2014-04-29
• Subjects: Linguistic change -- Periodicals; Sociolinguistics -- Periodicals; 410.05
• DOI: 10.1017/S0954394513000215
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0954-3945

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="normal"> <title>Abstract</title> <p>In many rural English-speaking communities, linguistic processes such as paradigm leveling come into direct conflict with social processes of standardization. In the US region of Appalachia, an analysis of past <italic>be</italic> leveling illustrates the progression of the sociolinguistic clashes between these forces. A quantitative sociolinguistic examination of leveled <italic>was</italic> (e.g., <italic>We was there</italic>) for 67 native Appalachian speakers was conducted to assess the status of past <italic>be</italic> in light of economic and educational improvements over the 20th century. The results indicate that leveled <italic>was</italic> declined sharply, with the youngest speakers demonstrating more standardized patterns. Although the overall rate of <italic>was</italic> leveling declined across apparent time, the rate of <italic>was</italic> contraction (e.g., <italic>We's there last night</italic>) increased, offering native Appalachians a reduced variant to contest the social push toward a fully standardized system.</p> </abstract>