Dialect change in the L2-English used by L1-Afrikaans emigrants to North Dakota, USA

Abstract

Research is lacking in the field of second dialect acquisition, especially in adults. Even more limited is research on the second dialect acquisition of a second language in adults. This study identified a relatively new and developing contact situation of white Afrikaans-speaking South Africans who have emigrated to North Dakota, USA. This study investigates particular sound changes in their second language, English. More particularly, this study aimed to, firstly, investigate the levels of dialect change of Afrikaans-English (AfrE) speakers toward the North American English variety, with a focus on three linguistic variables: the loss of the South African English (SAfE) and/or AfrE TRAP-BATH split to the NAmE [æː] variant, the loss of the SAfE or AfrE intervocalic voiceless [t] to the NAmE intervocalic voiced [d] or flapped [ɾ] and, finally, the acquisition of NAmE -in/-ing variation. Secondly, the study investigated the levels of identity integration of the subjects as they adjust to the host community; and the influence of such integration on second dialect learning. Furthermore, the study considered the influence of other social variables such as age, gender, and length-of-residence on the levels of dialect change and identity integration taking place. A total of twelve participants were recorded reading a wordlist that incorporated words that contain the variables in question. In addition, semi-structured ‘naturalistic’ interviews were conducted with all the participants and were also recorded. These interviews were viewed as the basis for what was, in effect, twelve case studies on the dialect change and identity integration of Afrikaans-English speakers to North Dakota, USA. The results of the impressionistic phonetic analysis of the casual and careful speech data showed that the loss of the TRAP-BATH split to the NAmE [æː] variant and the adoption of the NAmE intervocalic [d] or flapped [ɾ] was observable in 10 of the 12 participants in this study. In contrast, the NAmE -in variant was present in only one participant’s speech. The findings of the interview data alongside the dialect change results showed that second dialect acquisition and identity integration are ultimately separate processes and are only correlated when positive regard (i.e. positive attitude and motivation) is present in both processes. This means that the participants who had a positive attitude/motivation toward both NAmE and the host community showed both high levels of dialect learning and high levels of identity integration. The age of arrival, in adulthood, has very little effect on the levels of SDA. However the younger participants did show higher percentages of identity integration compared to those in older age. While there are complex reasons for the variation between the participants and their level of

identity integration, the findings show that identity integration slightly decreases as individuals approach their early 30s. The results and findings, pertaining to the length-of-residence, show a positive relationship between dialect change and identity integration with increased time spent in the community. The role of gender was seen in the differences between attitude/motivation across males and females. Females showed higher levels of SDA because of their motivation to learn the dialect, while the male participants often displayed comparatively low motivation, and most did not see a need to learn the new dialect. On the other hand, males had higher levels of identity integration because of their positive attitude and involvement in the community, whereas the females often had difficulty in integrating because of emigration visa restrictions on employment . Ultimately , this study adds to the field of (adult) second dialect acquisition within the context of a new contact situation and for dialect change in a second language.