Native German speakers in the Netherlands shape language transfer
When individuals immerse themselves in a new culture, it inevitably influences their linguistic repertoire. Research by PhD-candidate Marie Barking who defends her study on March 1, reveals that native German speakers residing in the Netherlands undergo substantial language transfer from Dutch to German. They adopt loan translations and integrate Dutch grammar patterns into their German speech, resulting in innovative linguistic expressions.
Barking’s study investigates the impact of living abroad on language use, with a specific focus on Dutch-German language transfer. Employing a comprehensive multi-method approach involving experiments, surveys, corpus analysis, and focus groups, the dissertation uncovers the connection between automatic cognitive processes and the speakers' agency in shaping language transfer.
The findings show that, over time, Dutch elements become increasingly entrenched in the mental representations of these speakers. They make the activation of Dutch language elements in their German speech almost as natural as using their native language. For instance *Hintername ('sirname' in stead of Nachname based on the Dutch achternaam) or *Fliegfeld ('vliegveld' in stead of Flughafen 'vlieghaven' based on the Dutch vliegveld).
The language transfer is made easier by the closeness of German and Dutch. However, the research emphasizes that speakers can develop awareness of language transfer, stimulated by personal reflection or external feedback from family and friends.
Acceptance or resistance
The study identifies two distinct reactions among speakers: acceptance and resistance. While some embrace language transfer as a natural consequence of bilingualism, others resist it, viewing it as a threat to their German identity. Those in the latter group deploy various strategies, including keeping lists of transfer examples, self-monitoring, and practicing German regularly, to mitigate the influence of Dutch on their linguistic identity.
In essence, this dissertation underscores the complex interplay between automatic cognitive processes and social agency in shaping language transfer. The insights from this research contribute to a deeper understanding of how individuals navigate linguistic challenges in a multicultural context, shedding light on the dynamic relationship between language, identity, and adaptation.
Note
Marie Barking will defend her PhD dissertation on March 1 at 13.30 hours in the auditorium. Title: A Usage-Based Account of Language Transfer - a case study of German speakers in the Netherlands.
For more information, please contact Tineke Bennema: persvoorlichters@tilburguniversity.edu of tel 0031 13 4668998.