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Middle English case loss and the ‘creolization’ hypothesis1

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 September 2008

Cynthia Allen
Cynthia Allen
Affiliation:
Department of LinguisticsAustralian National UniversityArts FacultyCanberra ACT 0200Australiacindy.allen@anu.edu.au
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Extract

The apparent rapidity of the loss of case-marking distinctions in English has been used as evidence that Middle English was a Creole. However, an examination of the available facts indicates that the reduction of case marking was more gradual and orderly than has often been assumed. The impression of ‘confused’ usage in many texts disappears once a proper distinction between form and category is made. The reduction of case marking seems to have begun with syncretism of forms but retention of categories, with one form spreading into the territory of another. The facts do not support the idea that case marking was drastically reduced as part of the formation of a Creole. However, it is likely that language contact played a significant role in the quick acceptance of internally motivated changes.

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English Language & Linguistics , Volume 1 , Issue 1 , May 1997 , pp. 63 - 89
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Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1997

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