Dear Angus
Thanks very much for the useful summary of replies to your
intial query.
A footnote about Goldvarb/Varbrul:
- The fundamental concept it relies on is the
sociolinguistic variable, i.e. 2 or more different ways
('variants') of expressing the same meaning; so it's ideal
for analysing linguistic changes in progress, or
other variables that are 'potential changes', but neither
the variable nor Goldvarb are suitable for making
comparisons where there is a difference in meaning. So
for example the different structures for Yes/No questions
constitute a variable that could be handled by Goldvarb,
whereas the length of clauses probably would not.
- Although the variationist approach (including Goldvarb)
is indeed used to examine interpersonal differences,
another major use is to investigate the effect of
particular linguistic/contextual factors on the variation.
- If you (or any other subscribers) would like to find out
more about Goldvarb, there is a message, posted by Ros
Temple, in the September/October file of the archive for
afls-news: see www.jiscmail.ac.uk then select the
'Linguistics' newsgrousp, then 'afls-news'.
Best wishes
Aidan
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Aidan Coveney
University of Exeter
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