The Indo-European Hypothesis [was Re: The Neolithic Hypothesis]

[X99Lynx at aol.com]

<<fcosw5 at mail.scu.edu.tw writes:
Does this difference from Roman Imperial policy ... administrative practice
have anything to do with the fact that English remains the dominant language
throughout most of the former British Empire?>>

In a message dated 4/13/99 8:24:41 PM, JoatSimeon at aol.com wrote:
<<-- however, English became the -native language- only in areas of the
British Empire that were

(a) settled by English emigrants (non-francophone Canada, New Zealand,
Australia) to whom later emigrants had to conform, or....>>

This may be a bit off.   "Later emigrants" - "non-native speaking" - didn't
necessarily "have to conform."  Their children did however have to go to
school (under compulsory education laws) where they would learn English and
it would become their "native language."  The best example is of course the
US, where the majority of the population is not descended from "English
emigrants."  It was in no small part the government and compulsory education
that transformed most of those foreign native speakers into native English
speakers - very, very often in one generation.  In 1960, the vast majority of
children of emigrants considered English their native language, obviously not
the native language of their parents.

The survival of French in Canada on the other hand was strongly supported by
the non-centralized government and now is a matter of law.  While the Dutch
majority in Old New York pretty much adopted English in a single generation
as a practical matter when the government and shipping went English.  And
obviously the Pennsylvania Amish did not feel they "had to conform" and make
English their native tongue - and there are cases going back to the 1850's
that said this was their right.  Another instance of non-totalitarian
government action affecting the directions speakers will go over time.

<<Language replacement usually requires something more drastic; settlement of
native speakers, combined with widespread social and demographic
disorganization of the native community.>>

Or it simply requires people who are willing and who have very good reasons
to change languages or encourage their children's to change languages.

Regards,
Steve Long