Comparative Sociolinguistics

191

143

We conduct a multi-local, multivariate analysis of be like in comparable datasets from three discontinuous geographic settings (the U.S.A., England, and New Zealand). Previously, comparative cross-variety analysis of this form has been fundamentally hampered by key methodological differences. A methodologically coherent analysis reveals that the 'classic factors' (Tagliamonte and D'Arcy 2007: 203) grammatical person and content of the quote, as well as the effect of mimesis, are transferred to the receptor variety, albeit with varying degrees of completeness. Other conditioning factors are particularized to the local system into which be like is adopted, which leads us to define its spread as a case of weak transfer. We suggest that there are at least two explanations for this finding: (1) global innovations must be considered in light of the local systems into which they are adopted; and (2) the form and amount of contact must be correlated with respect to the knowledge transfer they allow.

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Quotative Be Like: Previous Findingsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Localized globalization: A multi‐local, multivariate investigation of quotative be like¹

Buchstaller

D’Arcy

2009

191

143

“…In both corpora, the interlocutors are from across the age range, from both genders and from various ethnicities. Finally, in order to ascertain the general comparability of the variants in the data sets, I have followed the method of constraint matching used in comparative sociolinguistics (Tagliamonte 2002). The general constraints on be like and go are not significantly different in the two varieties (see Buchstaller 2004).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Diagnostics of age‐graded linguistic behaviour:  The case of the quotative system¹

Buchstaller

2006

This article presents a cross-variety investigation of quotatives be like and go in apparent and real time. Distributional and attitudinal evidence points to a change in progress as the underlying process for the distribution of be like. However, there is also evidence of life-span change (Sankoff to appear). The patterning of go across age is much less clear-cut. It could be interpreted as age grading or as a change in progress. This paper discusses seemingly contradictory findings from U.S. and British English. It will be suggested that the distribution of go is due to unstable behaviour at both the individual and the community level. Furthermore, there is evidence that go has a latent presence in the linguistic repertoire and was picked up again after its frequency dipped due to the introduction of be like. This finding ties in with other reported cases of recycling of variables (Dubois and Horvath 1999).

“… statistical significance of individual factors and factor groups; relative strength of factor groups; and constraint hierarchy within factor groups (Tagliamonte 2002: 733). …”

Section: Data Quantification: Multiple Regressions Frequencies Amentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Pichler's (2008) hypotheses about the differential social embedding of the grammaticalization of innit in the north and south of England have to remain tentative because Andersen's (2001) univariate analysis of innit in London English does not reveal the relative importance of different social factors when their impact is considered simultaneously. Only when multivariate methods are employed consistently across corpora (and variables and variable contexts are defined and delimited along the same parameters) can subtle differences in the significance, strength and ordering of conditioning effects reveal whether and to what extent different varieties share an underlying grammar (Tagliamonte 2002).…”

Section: Data Quantification: Multiple Regressions Frequencies Amentioning

confidence: 99%

Methods in discourse variation analysis: Reflections on the way forward1

Pichler

2010

This paper demonstrates the need for a uniform model of discourse variation analysis which is equipped to capture the complex nature of discourse variation and change whilst also ensuring generalizability. A review of the literature shows that the current heterogeneity in corpus construction, data quantification and theorizing of discourse variables impedes reliability and intersubjectivity.Suggestions are offered to achieve comparability, and a case is made for a consistent integration of pragmatic function as a factor group in the analysis. The extension of the variationist paradigm to the level of discourse is discussed, and the need for a definition of discourse variables which caters for their flexibility and multifunctionality is demonstrated. It is argued that some methodological consistency is required in variationist discourse analysis in order to advance towards a holistic description of patterns in language variation and change which spans all components of the grammar, and to systematically explore how discourse features are used and manipulated to create social identities.