Structural Aspects and Current Sociolinguistic Situation of Acadian French

Abstract

Linguistic differences among major Acadian groups in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, & Prince Edward Island are examined & attributed to varying degrees of language contact, language shift, & the presence of a dominant culture. The factors contributing to the linguistic contrasts are (1) the exile itineraries & resettlement patterns involving other varieties of French, (2) the long-term coexistence with an English majority leading to extensive borrowing vs the protective effect of large Francophone population concentrations, (3) internal language change, & (4) standardization through institutional influence or proximity to a French majority area, eg, Quebec. A selection of morphosyntactic & phonological features demonstrates the common Acadian linguistic features & provides the basis for a three-level analysis demonstrating the degree of conservatism by type of speech community. A sociolinguistic analysis relates linguistic variation (informal to formal) with age, sex, & social group. The quantitative effects of language contact depend on the degree of bilingualism, current patterns of language choice, & the pressure of borrowing & code-switching. The low value placed on regional varieties is thought to lead to linguistic insecurity & requires internal community norm enforcement. It is suggested that the patterns of dialect variation within the Acadian speech community may elucidate the regional variability in Louisiana French. 4 Tables, 7 Figures, 50 References. B. Gadalla