A particular deficit in linguistic literature that I feel needs research is a field I will call "Language Economy." That is, examination of the fundamental nature of exchange between languages. When cultures with different languages come into contact, I that there are a number of possible pathways linguistic-cultures interact that deserve categorization. Here are a number that I propose, ranging from the smallest amount of language exchange to the greatest:
Category I. Light Language Trade
Languages admit words for nouns, verbs and proper nouns (especially toponyms) to fill a noticeable language abscess. [Example: when the Spanish began selling us a new condiment to our food, we bought their name for it too, 'cilantro']
Category II. Moderate Language Trade
More than just one language adding words to fill abscesses, word are also replaced by foreign words. Colloquial phrases enter language.
Category III. Extensive Language Trade
Grammar changes, large vocabulary replacement, core vocabulary begins to be replaced. [Example: French domination of the English language from 1054 onward]
Category IV. Complete Language Trade
Core vocabulary replaced save for a few words. Core grammatical structures change.
In my opinion, the interaction between languages of the world are the freest economies we could ever study.
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These levels of exchange are interesting. I wonder if sensory information exchange could shed light on this issue. For instance, when we visually experience an unfamiliar texture, a quick feel provides further information to recruit for its identification. Recruit by what? That's the BIG question.
ReplyDeleteIt may be the case that the visual cortex itself uses this information, in the Lateral Occipital Complex, in which case there is minimal "language" trade. But notice that this is a unilateral exchange--the tactile information from the somotosensory cortex just feeds into the visual.
Given that this case is like your "light lang. trade", I wonder if the unilateral/bilateral distinction might nuance your distinctions in clearer way.