Three States And Two Processes In Language Contact

The theory of "Three States and Two Processes in Language Contact" ("3S+2P") is based on diachronic research with the aim to make synchronic and dynamic study in lexical borrowing. "Three states" are the state of language contact before loanwords being borrowed into target language (CS1), the state of loanwords conjoining inside a language (CS2) and the state of loanwords continue to change, develop or disappear (CS3). "Two processes" are the adoption from source language to target language (ADP) and the process of assimilating inside target language (ASP).The introduction is the theory basis as well as the ground of argument for"3S+2P".In chapter One, after summarizing the western research on language contact and variation, especially after the introduction of borrowing theory on loanwords, we put emphasis on the commentary and textual research on those inaccurate or ex parte analysis.The remaining three chapters cover the main topics of this theory. In CS1 focus is put on the social and cultural influence on language, including the contact between Chinese culture and Western culture, as well as the contact between Chinese culture and the Asian culture. An adjective argument for the research on CS1 is given here by demonstrating the Chinese loanwords into English.In CS2, emphasis is put on language system. Not following the traditional taxonomy on loanword categories which is based on synchronic observation only, we put both the overt and the potential features as well as the motivations into consideration. The ten categories of lexical borrowing are analyzed synchronically and dynamically in Chapter Two.In CS3, the effect on speech by loanword borrowing is discussed in pragmatics form. On the basis of "3S+2P", we have found the chain reaction of loanword models and the variation of borrowings in oral speech.Enlightened by the priority on hybridization and also the relationship between chewing and digesting, we get some rules during ADP and ASP: the speed of ADP is inversely proportional to the speed of ASP; the target language system only achieves the minimum change on the borrowing element; the target language system itself would make some changes under the influence of borrowing words. There is no "pure" things in the world, similarly this is also true of language, therefore borrowing words would take place always, which follows the rule of priority on borrowing.In ADP we divide the process into overt adoption and potential adoption. In overt adoption there are importation borrowing and substitution borrowing. A flow chart of each type is given here to show the dynamic process.In ASP, firstly, we discuss the sufficient and necessary condition for assimilation by making semantic research through syntactic features. Secondly, we make the syntactic study through semantic research. We received some impoilant features of borrowing, such as the minimal adjustment on phonetic and character's borrowing; asymmetry and special evaluation on word-building and word-meaning; penetrability and re-appearance of word order and category.Thirdly, a kind of special pragmatic borrowing is being discussed which is called "the instant application of sentence-words in language contact". Since the "sentence-words" are active and popular in oral speaking, it is not easy for them to take root in a language system. However, those simple models which can not be integrated and are restricted by less grammatical categories have the priority of instant application.Last but not least are the three appendix which are statistical analysis based on databases of loanwords.