Dissertation: A Sociolinguisti c Study of Language Contact of Lebanese Arabic and Brazilian Portuguese in S ão Paulo, Brazil

[Harold Schiffman]

A Sociolinguistic Study of Language Contact of Lebanese Arabic and
Brazilian Portuguese in São Paulo, Brazil


Institution: University of Texas at Austin
Program: Department of Spanish and Portuguese
Dissertation Status: Completed
Degree Date: 2008

Author: Christine Marie Guedri

Dissertation Title: A Sociolinguistic Study of Language Contact of
Lebanese Arabic and Brazilian Portuguese in São Paulo, Brazil



Subject Language(s): Arabic, Standard (arb)
                            Portuguese (por)

Dissertation Director:
Fritz G. Hensey

Dissertation Abstract:

Languages that borrow Arabic words often incorporate redundant, non-lexical
material (Myers Scotton 2002, Rouchdy 2002). Examples can be drawn from
words of Arabic origin in the Portuguese language (Kaye 2004, Corriente
1992). The aim of this study is to explore different aspects language
variation due to language contact and transfer. This study takes into
consideration loanword adaptations and examines three generations of
Lebanese-Brazilians living and São Paulo.

While many factors account for phonological variation in the production of
Brazilian Portuguese, one of the goals of this study is to show how prior
language experiences can influence variation in the perception and
production of another. In exploring three generations in the
Lebanese-Brazilian community of São Paulo, Brazil, first-generation
immigrants are believed to have more variability in their spoken
Portuguese, with this variability extending to loanwords of Arabic origin.
Subsequent generations are believed have less access to the Arabic
language, and have less variability in their spoken Portuguese, however are
expected to experience some influence of Arabic when perceiving and
producing words of Arabic origin.

http://linguistlist.org/issues/20/20-71.html


-- 
**************************************
N.b.: Listing on the lgpolicy-list is merely intended as a service to
its members
and implies neither approval, confirmation nor agreement by the owner
or sponsor of
the list as to the veracity of a message's contents. Members who
disagree with a
message are encouraged to post a rebuttal. (H. Schiffman, Moderator)
*******************************************