Caspar Jordan: 'Transmarini finna sig Själfwa owissa i Generum Skilnad': Language Contact on Gotland

Abstract

This thesis investigates contact-induced language change on Gotland, focusing on the Gutnish variety and its contacts with other languages. The investigation is divided over phonology, morphology, syntax and semantics. Using a range of data, the studies employ mixed methods from descriptive, historical and contact linguistics.

Paper I investigates the history of strong and weak verbs in Gutnish. While Old Gutnish had a strict division of verb classes, Modern Gutnish has many “mixed” verbs which have both strong and weak forms in their paradigm. The investigation shows how the changes in the verb system result from an interplay between sound changes, possibly caused by medieval language contact, and immigration from Småland and Öland, where similar “mixed” verbs can also be found.

Paper II is an exploration of the si-passive, a unique passive construction only found in Modern Gutnish. The si-passive came about in the 19th century, but this study follows the changes in agreement that the si-passive has gone through during the 20th century. Here, language contact was found to only play a very small role.

In paper III, the disappearance of the pitch-accent distinction in the present tense of the verb is investigated. Like other Scandinavian varieties, Old Gutnish had a two-way distinction, while Modern Gutnish always has pitch accent 1 in the present tense. The paper describes a complex process of reanalysis, made possible by sound changes in the early history of Gutnish, as the reason for the change, but also finds a connection to Småland where similar changes have happened.

Paper IV dives into the semantics of the preposition bäi that was borrowed into Gutnish from Middle Low German during the Middle Ages. The investigation shows that the semantics of the preposition are almost identical in Modern Gutnish and Middle Low German, while other contact languages Danish and Swedish have a different way of dividing the same semantic space. This is taken as an indication that the preposition was borrowed in a bilingual setting and for functional rather than social reasons.