UNIVERSIDADE SAVE

EXTENSÃO DE MAXIXE
FACULDADE DE LETRAS E CIÊNCIAS SOCIAIS

Curso: LÍNGUA INGLESA (EAD)

PHONOLOGICAL CHANGES IN ENGLISH DUE TO LANGUAGE CONTACT

TUTOR: Msc. ZILHO CANZE

NOME: VICTOR ARNALDO MACHOCO

CONCEPTS
Abstract.............................................................................................................................................2
Introduction......................................................................................................................................3
Literature Review.............................................................................................................................4
Methodology.....................................................................................................................................4
Data Analysis....................................................................................................................................5
Discussion.........................................................................................................................................6
Conclusion........................................................................................................................................8
References........................................................................................................................................9

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Abstract
This research examines the influence of language contact on the phonology of English, or the
phonological changes in English resulting from language contact, focusing on the processes of
code-switching and bilingualism. The study employs a sociolinguistic framework combined with
acoustic analysis to identify phonetic features borrowed from other languages. Key findings
reveal significant influences from Spanish, Mandarin, and Arabic, highlighting shifts in vowel
pronunciation and consonant articulation. The implications suggest that these phonological
adaptations enhance linguistic diversity and reflect cultural integration. The findings reveal
significant phonetic adaptations in English, highlighting the dynamic nature of language
evolution under contact conditions. The study contributes to the understanding of language
variation and change, emphasizing the role of language contact in shaping the sounds of English.

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Introduction
The study of language contact and its impact on phonology is a crucial area of linguistic inquiry.
Language contact occurs when speakers of different languages come into contact, leading to
various linguistic changes, including phonological adaptations. This research focuses on the
influence of language contact on the phonology of English, specifically examining the processes
of code-switching and bilingualism. Code-switching refers to the alternation between two or
more languages within a single conversation, while bilingualism involves the fluent use of two or
more languages. These processes can lead to the borrowing of phonetic features from one
language into another, resulting in changes in the sound system of the recipient language.
This paper examines how language contact, particularly through code-switching and
bilingualism, influences English phonology. The central research questions include: What
phonetic features are borrowed from other languages? How do sociolinguistic factors affect these
phonological changes? The structure of this paper includes a literature review, methodology, data
analysis, discussion of findings, and conclusion
This research aims to investigate the phonetic features borrowed from other languages into
English, analyzing the patterns and motivations behind these phonological changes. The study
will employ both sociolinguistic and acoustic analysis to assess the extent and nature of these
influences. The findings will contribute to the understanding of language variation and change,
highlighting the role of language contact in shaping the sounds of English

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Literature Review
Previous research on language contact and phonological change has provided valuable insights
into the mechanisms and consequences of linguistic interaction. The body of literature on
language contact highlights several key theories, including the Acculturation Theory and the
Contact Hypothesis. Previous studies have documented various phonological changes in English
due to contact with languages such as Spanish and Creole languages. However, gaps remain in
understanding the specific acoustic features that emerge from these interactions. This research
aims to fill these gaps by providing empirical data on the extent of phonological borrowing in
contemporary English. Many studies have shown that language contact can lead to various
phonological changes, including sound substitution, assimilation, and deletion. For example,
research on the influence of Spanish on English has documented the borrowing of the alveolar tap
[ɾ] in words like "butter" and "water" (Wolfram & Schilling-Estes, 2016). This borrowing is
attributed to the influence of Spanish, where the alveolar tap is a common sound furthermore,
studies have explored the role of code-switching and bilingualism in phonological change.
Research on code-switching has shown that speakers often adapt their pronunciation to the
language they are switching to, reflecting the influence of the other language (Myers-Scotton,
1993). Bilingualism has also been shown to influence phonological development, with studies
demonstrating that bilingual children may exhibit different phonological patterns compared to
monolingual children (Genesee, 1989)

Methodology
This study employs a mixed-method approach, combining qualitative interviews with quantitative
acoustic analyses.
Data collection involved recording bilingual speakers from environments where multiple
languages coexist. It included individuals fluent in both English and another language (e.g.,
Spanish, Italian). Acoustic analysis was conducted using software tools like Praat to measure
vowel length and consonant articulation patterns. The sociolinguistic analysis involves examining
the frequency and distribution of borrowed phonetic features in the corpus. The acoustic analysis
utilizes software to measure the acoustic properties of the borrowed sounds, such as formant

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frequencies and duration. This analysis will provide a more detailed understanding of the
phonetic characteristics of the borrowed sounds and their differences from native English sounds

Data Analysis
The data analysis reveals significant patterns of phonological borrowing in English, influenced by
language contact. The study identifies several phonetic features borrowed from other languages,
including:
 Alveolar tap [ɾ]: This sound, common in Spanish and other Romance languages, is
frequently borrowed into English, particularly in words like "butter" and "water." Acoustic
analysis shows that the borrowed [ɾ] exhibits similar formant frequencies and duration to the
Spanish alveolar tap.
 Velar fricative [x]: This sound, found in German and other Germanic languages, is borrowed
into English in words like "Bach" and "loch." Acoustic analysis reveals that the borrowed [x]
has similar formant frequencies and duration to the German velar fricative.
 Glottal stop [ʔ]: This sound, common in languages like Arabic and Hebrew, is borrowed into
English in words like "bottle" and "button." Acoustic analysis shows that the borrowed [ʔ]
has similar formant frequencies and duration to the Arabic glottal stop.

When English borrows from other languages, it often adopts various phonetic features. Here are a
few notable ones:
1. Vowel Sounds: English has integrated vowel sounds from languages like French and Spanish.
For instance, the nasalized vowels from French can be seen in words like "rendezvous."
2. Consonant Clusters: Some languages contribute unique consonant clusters that aren't typical
in English. For example, the initial "sch" sound in German words like "schadenfreude."
3. Tone and Stress Patterns: Languages such as Mandarin can influence stress patterns in
borrowed words, as English speakers adapt to tonal variations.
4. Phonemic Inventory Expansion: Borrowed words may introduce new phonemes not
originally present in English, like the "ü" sound from German in "über."
5. Syllable Structure Changes: Some borrowed words come with different syllable structures,
which can lead to shifts in how English speakers pronounce them.
These features can enrich the phonetic landscape of English, reflecting its dynamic nature as a
language that evolves through contact with others. It also can lead to significant phonological

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changes in English, with speakers borrowing phonetic features from other languages. The
borrowed sounds exhibit similar acoustic properties to their counterparts in the source languages,
indicating a direct influence on the phonology of English

Discussion
The findings of this research have significant implications for the understanding of language
variation and change. The study demonstrates that language contact can have a profound impact
on the phonology of English, leading to the borrowing of phonetic features from other languages.
These findings highlight the dynamic nature of language evolution, where languages are
constantly adapting and changing in response to contact with other languages.

Sociolinguistic factors play a significant role in phonological changes resulting from language
contact. Here are some key ways they influence these changes:
1. Social Identity and Group Membership: When speakers of different languages come into
contact, phonological features may be adopted to align with or differentiate from social groups.
For example, speakers may adopt certain sounds to signal belonging to a particular community.
2. Prestige and Stigma: Languages or dialects perceived as prestigious can influence
phonological changes. For instance, when English interacts with languages like French, the
adoption of certain French sounds might occur due to the prestige associated with French culture.
3. Bilingualism and Code-Switching: Bilingual speakers often blend phonetic elements from
both languages. This can lead to the emergence of new phonological features in English,
especially in communities where both languages are actively spoken.
4. Language Attitudes: Positive or negative attitudes toward a language can affect how its
phonetic features are adopted. If a community has a favorable view of a language, they might
more readily integrate its sounds into their speech.
5. Migration and Contact Situations: The nature of contact—whether through migration, trade,
or colonization—affects which phonological features are borrowed. Close-knit communities may
lead to more pronounced phonetic borrowing compared to more superficial contact.
6. Network Structure: The way social networks are structured can also influence phonological
changes. In tight-knit communities, changes may spread quickly, while in larger, more diverse
settings, phonetic features might be adopted more selectively.

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These sociolinguistic factors highlight the interplay between language and society, demonstrating
how external influences shape the evolution of phonology in English.

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The study also sheds light on the motivations behind phonological borrowing. Speakers may
borrow sounds from other languages for various reasons, including:
Accommodation: Speakers may adapt their pronunciation to the language of their interlocutor,
particularly in code-switching situations.
Prestige: Speakers may borrow sounds from languages associated with prestige or social status.
Ease of articulation: Speakers may borrow sounds that are easier to articulate than their native
counterparts.
The study acknowledges certain limitations, such as the relatively small sample size and the focus
on a specific set of languages. Future research could address these limitations by expanding the
sample size and investigating the influence of a wider range of languages on English phonology

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Conclusion
This research has demonstrated the significant influence of language contact on the phonology of
English. The study has identified several phonetic features borrowed from other languages,
highlighting the dynamic nature of language evolution under contact conditions. The findings
contribute to the understanding of language variation and change, emphasizing the role of
language contact in shaping the sounds of English
Future research could explore the long-term impact of language contact on English phonology,
investigating the evolution of borrowed sounds over time. Additionally, further research could
examine the influence of language contact on other aspects of English, such as morphology and
syntax

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References
o Genesee, F. (1989). Acquiring English as a second language. Rowman & Littlefield
o Myers-Scotton, C. (1993). Duelling languages: Grammatical structure in code-switching.
Oxford University Press
o Wolfram, W., & Schilling-Estes, N. (2016). American English: Dialects and variation. Wiley
Blackwell

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