Skip to main content
Kent Academic Repository

Sociolinguistic variation in the Paris suburbs

Jamin, Mikael Jan (2005) Sociolinguistic variation in the Paris suburbs. Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) thesis, University of Kent. (doi:10.22024/UniKent/01.02.86428) (KAR id:86428)

Abstract

This thesis investigates linguistic variation, diffusion and change in two suburban towns of Paris (La Courneuve and Fontenay-sous-Bois), using quantitative methods to analyse innovative accent forms presently developing. After an introductory chapter which sets out the origins and objectives of the study, Chapter 2 gives the background to the Paris banlieues as well as a description of the research sites. Banlieues are ideal places of investigation for the linguist interested in sociolectal variation in that they accommodate a population which is relatively isolated from the linguistic norm of the dominant society. As a result of this isolation, a recognisable localised vernacular has emerged. This is in itself unsurprising, as similar phenomena have been observed elsewhere in low-contact contexts. What is particularly interesting here is that this vernacular has emerged in an urban context, generally characteristised by a relatively high degree of sociolectal contact, especially with prestigious varieties. Chapter 3 aims at showing how previous research has tackled the study of sociolinguistic variation in urban contexts. We then discuss the sociolinguistic literature more specifically focused on banlieues. From this, three linguistic variables thought to be potentially interesting are selected. In Chapter 4, the methodology used to obtain the linguistic data is discussed and the social characteristics of the sample are described. We then proceed to analyse the linguistic data collected. Chapter 5 focuses on the sociolinguistic distribution of palatalisation in the corpus. Chapter 6 investigates Ir/-realisation and Chapter 7 variation between Ia! and Ia!. Generally, the same social group seems to lead the adoption of non-standard variants for most variables: working-class youngsters from immigrant backgrounds. Interestingly, the adoption seems to be spreading to other social and ethnic groups, especially amongst the younger age group of the sample. This diffusion is quantitatively explained in terms of integration and identification with the street-culture which has developed in the banlieues and of the nature of social network ties that the street creates. What is also interesting is that for all age groups and for all the linguistic variables concerned, a generational increase is observed. This in tum suggests that this possible diffusion of non-standard forms in the banlieues might be introducing a change in progress in contemporary metropolitan French.

Item Type: Thesis (Doctor of Philosophy (PhD))
Thesis advisor: Armstrong, Nigel
Thesis advisor: Hornsby, David
DOI/Identification number: 10.22024/UniKent/01.02.86428
Additional information: This thesis has been digitised by EThOS, the British Library digitisation service, for purposes of preservation and dissemination. It was uploaded to KAR on 09 February 2021 in order to hold its content and record within University of Kent systems. It is available Open Access using a Creative Commons Attribution, Non-commercial, No Derivatives (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/) licence so that the thesis and its author, can benefit from opportunities for increased readership and citation. This was done in line with University of Kent policies (https://www.kent.ac.uk/is/strategy/docs/Kent%20Open%20Access%20policy.pdf). If you feel that your rights are compromised by open access to this thesis, or if you would like more information about its availability, please contact us at ResearchSupport@kent.ac.uk and we will seriously consider your claim under the terms of our Take-Down Policy (https://www.kent.ac.uk/is/regulations/library/kar-take-down-policy.html).
Subjects: P Language and Literature
Divisions: Divisions > Division of Arts and Humanities > School of Culture and Languages
SWORD Depositor: SWORD Copy
Depositing User: SWORD Copy
Date Deposited: 29 Oct 2019 16:59 UTC
Last Modified: 15 Dec 2021 15:01 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/86428 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

University of Kent Author Information

  • Depositors only (login required):

Total unique views for this document in KAR since July 2020. For more details click on the image.