[Lingtyp] The purpose of convergence and divergence?

[Randy J. LaPolla]

Hi Ian,
My take on convergence or influence is given in the following two papers:

LaPolla, Randy J. (Luo Rendi). 2005. Di’er yuyan xide dui diyi yuyan de yingxiang (The influence of second language learning on one’s first language). In Dai Qingxia and Jia Yimin (eds.), Papers from the 4th International Conference on Bilingual Studies, 50-57. Guangzhou: Jinan University Press. (in Chinese)
https://randylapolla.info/Papers/LaPolla_2005_Dier_yuyan_xide_dui_diyi_yuyan_de_yingxiang.pdf

LaPolla, Randy J. 2009. Causes and effects of substratum, superstratum and adstratum influence, with reference to Tibeto-Burman languages. In Yasuhiko Nagano (ed.), Issues in Tibeto-Burman Historical Linguistics (Senri Ethnological Studies 75), 227–237. Osaka: National Museum of Ethnology.
https://randylapolla.info/Papers/LaPolla_2009_Causes_and_Effects_of_Substratum_Superstratum_and_Adstratum_Influence_with_Reference_to_Tibeto-Burman_languages.pdf 

Essentially the idea is similar to what Jürgen was saying, that it is a matter of habit, but in true convergence situations, the convergence isn’t simply linguistic, its convergence in world view and how to express it, so for example in Singapore you can line up sentences in Hokkien, Malay, and Singlish with basically the same structure and reflecting the same cognitive concepts, similar to Gumperz’ famous article.

You should also look at Malcolm Ross’s work on metatypy.

The factors involved are not limited to language, but are general to human behaviour.

As for divergence, language is, like much of human behaviour, an example of a complex adaptive emergent phenomenon, and so divergence would be a natural outcome of adaptations to different environments or needs. (again, the same as other behaviour)

All the best,
Randy
——
Professor Randy J. LaPolla（罗仁地), PhD FAHA 
Center for Language Sciences
Institute for Advanced Studies in Humanities and Social Sciences
Beijing Normal University at Zhuhai
A302, Muduo Building, #18 Jinfeng Road, Zhuhai City, Guangdong, China

https://randylapolla.info <https://randylapolla.info/>
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> On 30 Jun 2023, at 2:33 AM, Ian Joo <ian_joo at nucba.ac.jp> wrote:
> 
> Dear Typologists,
> 
> I would appreciate it if you could point to me the literature discussing the purpose of linguistic convergence and divergence.
> Do they happen simply because they happen - or do they serve any purpose? Do they bring any benefit?
> For example if my lect changes based on to what my neighbors are speaking, it's an interesting phenomenon, but what good does it do? Does it make me more suitable as a neighbor? Does it make it more easier for me to learn their (dominant) lect? Does it facilitate code-switching?
> Same about divergence - if a group that split away from a bigger group changes their lect in a divergent manner, then what benefit does it bring? Does it solidate their group identity? Does it help to identify an in-group member?
> These questions have been stuck in my head for quite a long time now and I would be grateful if you could provide me previous insights on such questions.
> 
> From the Netherlands,
> Ian
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