One substrate, Two Lexifiers and the Lexifier Effect

Baba Malay and Singapore Colloquial English have the same substrate language (Hokkien), but different lexifiers (Malay and English respectively). They also share similar sociolinguistic dynamics in their contact environments. Via the comparison of the usage patterns of 'ada' in Baba Malay and 'got' in Singapore English, which are both influenced by Hokkien 'u' (have) , this paper examines the effect of the lexifier on substrate transfer, and shows that the success (or failure) of transfer of grammatical features from the linguistic substratum is in part determined by the lexifier. In addition, the notion of prestige is also shown to affect the frequency of occurrence of the various substrate features. This comparative study primarily demonstrates the lexifier effect in creole formation, and extends from this, an investigation of how the notion of prestige can affect frequency of occurrence of substrate features in creoles.

Author dc:creator

• LEE HUIYING NALA

• language contact, lexifier filter, systemic substrate transfer, prestige, singapore colloquial english, baba malay