Article published in:
Historical Linguistics 2007: Selected papers from the 18th International Conference on Historical Linguistics, Montreal, 6–11 August 2007
Edited by Monique Dufresne, Fernande Dupuis and Etleva Vocaj
[Current Issues in Linguistic Theory 308] 2009
► pp. 245–256

Variation in real time

A case of sound change in Catalan

| University of Alicante
Our research on the local variation of Catalan in Petrer (Alicante) analyses language variation in real time with a focus on a sound change in progress. Studying the replacement of the palatal affricate voiced consonant by its corresponding voiceless sound, we aim to define the extension and progress of this change though a comparison of the results obtained by B. Montoya (1985) in his thesis to our results, taken between 2006 and 2007. To determine if the variable rule is a cyclic phenomenon repeated generation after generation, or if local variability in sound change has progressed, we have recovered a certain number of people selected in the original sample to have them undergo an identical interview again. Our results have revealed that at this time sound change has not stopped. On the contrary, even the older speakers show a higher tendency to apply the variable rule.
Published online: 30 November 2009
https://doi.org/10.1075/cilt.308.20ver