Dynamic of linguistic change in north-eastern Nigeria

The research project `Dynamics of linguistic change in north-eastern Nigeria` examines aspects of contact-induced language change in north-eastern Nigeria. We will look at the linguistic impact of the dominant `languages of wider communication` (LWCs) Hausa, Kanuri and Fulfulde on the neighbouring Chadic languages. The project will identify and analyse those linguistic features which frequently occur in contact situations of the region. The question of universality and areality will also be given consideration. The project operates in the framework of research for universals and new global tendencies of linguistic change. The development of new linguistic categories is in the focus of our research. The causes and systematics of the areal distribution of linguistic properties will be examined: Which elements tend to be more and which ones less open to external influence? Is it possible to subsume contact phenomena in meaningful categories? How high is the degree of borrowing in different contact languages? The following topics will be examined: Development, position and expression of constituents. The conception of constituents may differ in individual languages. Apart from this the question of universal tendencies in sentence structures is given special attention. Evolution and use of coordinators and subordinators. It is assumed that in many languages one-clause structures are the basic pattern from which more complex sentences evolved. Patterns of negation. Languages operate different negation strategies, e.g. simple vs. double negation, direct negation of the indicative mood vs. indirect negation of non-indicative mood, different negation patterns in perfective and imperfective aspects. Concepts of space and time. The conceptualisation of spatial and temporal dimensions may vary from language to language. However, contact phenomena may result in the convergence of such concepts. Universals may also play a crucial part in the development of new categories. Resistant and non-resistant categories. Some grammatical categories tend to be more open to innovation than others, e.g. T(ense)-A(spect)-M(ood) systems, function words. The changing dominance of LWCs and their impact on borrowing processes. In north-eastern Nigeria we observe the influence of former dominant LWCs in older language strata. Nowadays new dominant LWCs exercise linguistic influences. Additional data are obtained in fieldwork. The project members will cooperate with scientists of the University of Maiduguri/Nigeria, which is of great importance for the scientific transfer between our institutions.

The linguistic landscape in Africa is influenced by many factors that contributed to shaping current languages. The dynamics of ethnic and linguistic change is therefore apparent in many African regions. One such area is the wider Lake Chad region in central Africa. Here, three of the four African linguistic phyla (Afro-Asiatic, Nilo-Saharan, Niger-Congo) are present. Until the recent past, we observe developments like the spread and retreat of lingua francas, loss of one`s first language, acquisition and adoption of a new language (language death), contact-induced lexical and grammatical influences on other languages. In this project the external influences were examined for the grammar of the languages involved. It has become evident, that the contact-induced influence is particularly strong in the higher levels of syntax. If relations between speakers of different languages are intense, a strong interaction is also observed in the morphology. Linguistic features that frequently occur in contact situations in the region in question were identified and analyzed. In the context of linguistic universality we considered former studies on language universals and new global tendencies of language change. Attention was given to the development of new grammatical categories. We investigated the causes and the context of the areal distribution of linguistic features: Which elements are taken over more and which less often? Is it possible to subsume contact-prone phenomena into comprehensible categories, and which are the causes? Why does the amount of borrowing differ depending on the individual contact language? Especially the following features were examined: Development, position and concepts of parts of speech. Despite the existing differences in individual languages, universal frameworks are also visible. Emergence and application of coordination and subordination. From original one-clause sentence structures complex structures evolved. Negation strategies. Many languages in the study area have complex negation patterns, e.g. simple and double negation, direct negation of indicative moods vs. indirect negation of non-indicative moods, different negation patterns in the perfective and imperfective. Resistant and non-resistant categories. Some grammatical categories appear to be more innovative than others, e.g. T(ense)-A(spect)-M(ode) systems, function words. The changing dominance of languages and their impact on borrowing processes. In northeastern Nigeria influences of formerly dominant languages can be detected in older language strata, whereas in the present language other dominant languages exercise linguistic influence. In collaboration with linguists from the University of Maiduguri, Nigeria, the processes of linguistic change, which is caused by contact, were explored. The question of the linguistic conceptions in the study area as well as in the universal context, constituted an important component to the understanding of linguistic behaviour.