Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Understanding Linguistic Features of Estonian-Latvian Bilingual Speech

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Current Research in Bilingualism and Bilingual Education

Part of the book series: Multilingual Education ((MULT,volume 26))

Abstract

The current paper is a case study of Estonian-Latvian individual bilingualism. Estonian and Latvian belong to different language families (respectively Finnic branch of Uralic and Baltic branch of Indo-European). The case is instructive because it demonstrates that there is no significant differences between impact in imposition (L1 Estonian > L2 Latvian) and in adoption (L2 Latvian > L1 Estonian). This is at odds with Thomason and Kaufman (Language contact, creolization, and genetic linguistics. University of California Press, Berkley, 1988) who argue that impact of L1 is in phonology and grammar and impact of L2 mostly in lexicon, semantics and non-core morphosyntax. The data are analyzed in Code-Copying Framework (CCF, Johanson L, Code-copying in immigrant Turkish. In Extra G, Verhoeven L (eds) Immigrant languages in Europe. Multilingual matters, Clevedon, pp 197–221, 1993; Contact-induced change in a code-copying framework. In Jones MC, Esch E (eds) Language change: the interplay of internal, external and extra-linguistic factors, Contribution to the sociology of language, vol 86. Mouton de Gruyter, Berlin, pp 285–313, 2002) because it takes into consideration bidirectionality of contact-induced language change and provides a holistic view on lexicon and morphosyntax (they are not separated in CCF). The similar character of adoption and imposition can be explained by (1) cognitive factors (lack of strict boundaries between the systems, also demonstrated by compromise morphosyntax); (2) individual factors (balanced bilingualism, individual linguistic flexibility), (3) structural factors (material similarity in common borrowings and common internationalisms) and (4) certain sociolinguistic factors (two countries with a fairly similar sociolinguistic and political history, roughly equal prestige of both languages, no normative pressure, lack of bilingual community).

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 129.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Abbreviations

ACC:

Accusative

ADES:

Adessive

ALL:

Allative

DAT:

Dative

GEN:

Genitive

ILL:

Illative

IMPERS:

Impersonal

INF:

Infinitive

LOC:

Locative

NOM:

Nominative

PART:

Partitive

References

  • Arkadiev, P., Holvoet, A. & Wiemer, B. (2015). Contemporary approaches to baltic linguistics (Trends in tinguistics. Studies and monographs 276), 1–110. Berlin: De Gruyter Mouton.

    Google Scholar 

  • Auer, P., & Muhamedova, R. (2005). ‘Embedded language’ and ‘matrix language’ in insertional language mixing: Some problematic cases. Italian Journal of Linguistics/Rivista di linguista, 17(1.) [special issue Gaetano Berruto (ed.), Commutazione di codice e teoria linguistica), 35–54.

    Google Scholar 

  • Backus, A. (2001). The role of semantic specificity in insertional codeswitching: Evidence from Dutch-Turkish. In R. Jacobson (Ed.), Codeswitching worldwide II (pp. 125–154). Berlin/New York: Mouton de Gruyter.

    Google Scholar 

  • Backus, A. (2004). Convergence as a mechanism of Language change. Bilingualism: Language and Cognition, 7(2), 179–181.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Backus, A. (2012). A usage-based approach to borrowability. Tilburg papers in culture studies. Paper 27. https://www.tilburguniversity.edu/research/institutes-and-research-groups/babylon/tpcs/download-tpcs-paper-27.pdf.htm. Accessed on 07.01.2017.

    Google Scholar 

  • Backus, A. (2015). A usage-based approach to code-switching: A need to reconcile structure and function. In G. Stell & K. Yakpo (Eds.), Code-switching between structural and sociolinguistic perspectives (pp. 19–37). Berlin: Mouton de Gruyter.

    Google Scholar 

  • Backus, A., & Dorleijn, M. (2009). Loan translations versus code-switching. In B. Bullock & A. J. Toribio (Eds.), The cambridge handbook of linguistic code-switching (pp. 75–93). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Backus, A., & Verschik, A. (2012). Copiability of (bound) morphology. In L. Johanson & M. Robbeets (Eds.), Copies versus cognates in bound morphology (Vol. 2, pp. 123–149). Boston/Leiden: BRILL.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Balode, L., & Holvoet, A. (2001). The Latvian language and its dialects. In Ö. Dahl & M. Koptjevskaja-Tamm (Eds.), The circum-baltic languages: Typology and contact (pp. 3–40). Amsterdam/Philadelphia: John Benjamins Publishing Company.

    Google Scholar 

  • Blokland, R. (2012). Borrowability of pronouns: Evidence from Uralic. Finnisch-Ugrische Mitteilungen, 35, 1–34.

    Google Scholar 

  • Blommaert, J., & Backus, A. (2011). Repertoires revisited: ‘Knowing language’ in superdiversity. Working papers in Urban Language & Literacies 67.1–26. http://www.kcl.ac.uk/sspp/departments/education/research/Research-Centres/ldc/publications/workingpapers/the-papers/67.pdf. Accessed on 07.01.2017.

  • Bušs, O. (2009). Latviešu valodas leksiskie somugrismi: izpētes vēsture un perspektīvas [Loanwords of Finnic origin in Latvian: The history and outlook of the research]. In A. Kalnača (Ed.), Latvian studies and Finno-Ugristics (Scientific papers, University of Latvia. linguistics) (Vol. 746, pp. 27–34). Rīga: Latvijas Universitātes Akadēmiskais apgāds http://www.lu.lv/materiali/apgads/raksti/746.pdf#page=27. Accessed on 07.01.2017.

  • Central Statistical Bureau of Latvia. Population of Latvia. As of 27.05.2016. http://www.csb.gov.lv/en/notikumi/begging-2016-latvia-population-accounted-171-thousand-persons-less-year-ago-43974.html. Accessed 07.01.2017.

  • Clyne, M. (2003). Dynamics of language contact: English and immigrant languages. Cambridge: Cambridge University.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Duyck, W. (2005). Translation and associative priming with cross-lingual pseudohomophones: Evidence for nonselective phonological activation in bilinguals. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory, & Cognition, 31, 1340–1359.

    Google Scholar 

  • Heine, B., & Kuteva, T. (2005). Language contact and grammatical change. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Johanson, L. (1993). Code-copying in immigrant Turkish. In G. Extra & L. Verhoeven (Eds.), Immigrant languages in Europe (pp. 197–221). Clevedon/Philadelphia/Adelaide: Multilingual Matters.

    Google Scholar 

  • Johanson, L. (1999). The dynamics of code-copying in language encounters. In B. Brendemoen, E. Lanza, & E. Ryen (Eds.), Language encounters across time and space (pp. 39–62). Oslo: Novus.

    Google Scholar 

  • Johanson, L. (2002). Contact-induced change in a code-copying framework. In M. C. Jones & E. Esch (Eds.), Language change: The interplay of internal, external and extra-linguistic factors, Contribution to the Sociology of Language (Vol. 86, pp. 285–313). Berlin: Mouton de Gruyter.

    Google Scholar 

  • Junttila, S. (2015). Proto-Finnic loanwords in the Baltic languages? An old hypothesis revisited. In S. Junttila (Ed.), Contacts between the Baltic and Finnic languages (pp 12–37). Uralica Helsingiensia 7.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kask, H. (2016). English-Estonian code-copying in Estonian blogs. In A. Verschik (Ed.), Linguistic, social and cognitive aspects of language contacts and multilingualism [special issue] (pp. 80–101). Philologia Estonica Tallinnensis 1.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Keevallik, L. (2001). Tracing grammaticalization of oota ‘wait’ in Estonian conversation. In I. Tragel (Ed.), Papers in estonian cognitive linguistics (pp. 119–144). Tartu: Tartu Ülikooli üldkeeleteaduse õppetooli toimetised 2.

    Google Scholar 

  • Laka, I., Santesteban, M., Erdocia, K., & Zawiszewski, A. (2013). The Basque language in the mind of native and non-native bilinguals. In P. Salaburu & X. Alberdi (Eds.), The challenge of a bilingual society in the Basque country, Current Research Series No. 9 (pp. 157–172). Reno: University of Nevada.

    Google Scholar 

  • Maschler, Y. (1994). Metalanguaging and discourse markers in bilingualconversation. Language in Society, 23(3), 325–366.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Maschler, Y. (2009). Metalanguage in Interaction: Hebrew discourse markers. Amsterdam/Philadelphia: John Benjamins Publishing Company.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Matras, Y. (1998). Utterance modifiers and universals of grammatical borrowing. Linguistics, 36(2), 281–331.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Matras, Y. (2009). Language contact. Cambridge/New York: Cambridge University Press.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Matras, Y. (2012). An activity-oriented approach to contact-induced language change. In C. Chamoreau & I. Léglise (Eds.), Dynamics of contact-induced language change (pp. 17–52). Berlin: Mouton de Gruyter.

    Google Scholar 

  • Matras, Y. (2013). Languages in contact in a world marked by change and mobility. Revue Française de Linguistique Appliquée: Langues en contact, 18–2. Liège/Paris: Cairn.info., 7–13.

    Google Scholar 

  • Muižniece, L., Metslang, H., & Pajusalu, K. (1999). Eesti ja läti keele mineviku partitsiibi finiidistumine [Finitization of Estonian and Latvian past participle]. Keel ja Kirjandus, 8, 522–534.

    Google Scholar 

  • Muysken, P. (2000). Bilingual speech: A typology of code-mixing. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs of Latvia. Population by ethnic nationality and citizenship. As of 01.07.2016. http://www.pmlp.gov.lv/lv/assets/documents/Iedzivotaju%20re%C4%A3istrs/0107iedzregj/ISVN_Latvija_pec_TTB_VPD.pdf. Accessed on 07.01.2017.

  • Pavlenko, A., & Jarvis, S. (2002). Bidirectional transfer. Applied Linguistics, 23(2), 190–214.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Praakli, K. (2009). Esimese põlvkonna Soome eestlaste kakskeelne keelekasutus ja koodikopeerimine [Language use and code-copying among first generation Estonians in Finland]. PhD thesis, Tartu University Press, Tartu.

    Google Scholar 

  • Salmons, J. (1990). Bilingual discourse marking: Code switching, borrowing and convergence in some German-American dialects. Linguistics, 28, 453–480.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Statistics Estonia. Population and housing census of 2011. http://www.stat.ee/sdb-update?db_update_id=13545. Accessed on 07.01.2017.

  • Stolz, T. (1991). Sprachbund im Balticum? Estnisch und Lettisch im Zentrum einer sprachlichen Konvergenzlandschaft [Sprachbund in the Baltic region? Estonian and Latvian in the centre of a language convergence area]. Bochum: Universtitätsverlag Dr. N. Brockmeyer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Suhonen, S. (1988). Die baltischen Lehnwörter der finnisch-ugrischen Sprachen [Baltic lexical borrowings in Finno-Ugric languages]. In D. Sinor (Ed.), The Uralic languages. Description, history and foreign influences (pp. 596–615). Leiden/New York/København/Köln: E. J. Brill.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thomason, S. G. (1997). On mechanisms of interference. In S. Eliasson & E. H. Jahr (Eds.), Language and its ecology: Essays in memory of Einar Haugen (pp. 181–207). Berlin/New York: Mouton de Gruyter.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thomason, S. G. (2001). Language contact. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Thomason, S. G., & Kaufman, T. (1988). Language contact, creolization, and genetic linguistics. Berkley: University of California Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vaba, L. (1997). Uurimusi Läti-Eesti keelesuhetest [Explorations on Latvian-Estonian linguistic interactions]. Tallinn/Helsinki: Eesti keele instituut, Tampereen Yliopiston suomen kielen ja yleisen kielitieteen laitos.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vaba, L. (1999). Eesti-läti kakskeelsusest Valgas. Vaade ajalukku. [Estonian-Latvian bilingualism in Valga. A historical view]. Keel ja Kirjandus, 8, 535–541.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vaba, L. (2010). Kuidas Läti-Eesti keelekontakt on mõjutanud eesti murdekeele grammatikat ja sõnamoodustust [How of Latvian-Estonian language contacts have impacted the grammar and word-formation of Estonian dialects]. Emakeele Seltsi aastaraamat, 56, 204–246.

    Google Scholar 

  • Van Hell, J. G., & Dijkstra, T. (2002). Foreign language knowledge can influence native language performance in exclusively native contexts. Psychonomic Bulletin & Review, 9, 780–789.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Verschik, A. (2008). Emerging Bilingual Speech: from monolingualism to code-copying. London/New York: Continuum.

    Google Scholar 

  • Verschik, A. (2014a). Estonian-Russian code-copying in Russian-language blogs: Language change and a new kind of linguistic awareness. In V.-A. Vihman & K. Praakli (Eds.), Negotiating linguistic identity (pp. 59–87). Frankfurt am Main: Peter Lang.

    Google Scholar 

  • Verschik, A. (2014b). Conjunctions in early Yiddish-Lithuanian bilingualism: Heritage language and contact linguistic perspectives. In H. Paulasto, L. Meriläinen, H. Riionheimo, & M. Kok (Eds.), Language contacts at the crossroads of disciplines (pp. 33–58). Cambridge: Cambridge Scholars Publishing.

    Google Scholar 

  • Verschik, A. (submitted for publication). English-Estonian code-copying in blogs: Combining contact linguistic and cognitive approach.

    Google Scholar 

  • Weinreich, U. (1953). Languages in contact (p. 1). New York: Publications of the Linguistic Circle of New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wertheim, S. (2003). Linguistic purism, language shift, and contact-induced change in Tatar. PhD thesis. Berkeley: University of California.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zabrodskaja, A., & Verschik, A. (2014). Morphology of Estonian items at the interface of Russian-Estonian language contact data. Sociolinguistic Studies, 8(3), 449–474.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zeps, V. (1962). Latvian and Finnic linguistic convergences. Bloomington: Indiana University.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Tallinn University, Tallinn, Estonia

    Anna Verschik & Elīna Bone

Authors
  1. Anna Verschik
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Elīna Bone
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Anna Verschik .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Applied Linguistics, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland

    Piotr Romanowski

  2. Institute of English, University of Wrocław, Wrocław, Poland

    Małgorzata Jedynak

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2018 Springer International Publishing AG, part of Springer Nature

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Verschik, A., Bone, E. (2018). Understanding Linguistic Features of Estonian-Latvian Bilingual Speech. In: Romanowski, P., Jedynak, M. (eds) Current Research in Bilingualism and Bilingual Education. Multilingual Education, vol 26. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-92396-3_5

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-92396-3_5

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-92395-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-92396-3

  • eBook Packages: EducationEducation (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation