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Conversation in a West Indian taxi: an ethnolinguistic analysis1

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 December 2008

Jay Edwards ,
Michael Rosberg  and
Luis ‘Modesto’ Pryme Hoy
Jay Edwards
Affiliation:
Louisiana State University at Baton Rough
Michael Rosberg
Affiliation:
DESA Foundation San Andreés Isla, Columbia
Luis ‘Modesto’ Pryme Hoy
Affiliation:
Principal consultant and translator
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Abstract

This paper examines the stylistic use of language by West Indian men. A verbal duel is explored and related to an opposition between two West Indian value systems. The concept of ‘vertical code switching’, such as in diglossia, is found to be inadequate to account for the verbal behavior. More significant is a type of ‘horizontal’ switching which involves phonological and suprasegmental features. (Multilingualism, creole languages, code and style switching, ‘lente’ and ‘allegro’ speech, ethnography of communication; San Andrés Island, Colombia.)

Type
Articles: Conversational devices and structures
Information
Language in Society , Volume 4 , Issue 3 , December 1975 , pp. 295 - 321
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1975

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