Relativization strategies in Early New High German: An integrated approach.

Abstract

This dissertation focuses on the structure, distribution and variation of relativization strategies in Early New High German (ENHG) (1350-1700). Previous work on relativization in ENHG is limited in a number of respects. The majority merely describes data within the confines of traditional philological conventions and does not attempt to place the discussion in a context of a larger theory of grammar, usage or language change. The theoretical and methodological foundation of this study is socio-historical and variationist in nature; it is based on the work of Milroy (1992), Milroy & Milroy (1985, 1992), Labov (1974, 1982), Ebert (1980, 1981) and Lippi-Green (forthcoming). The methodologies developed here place more stringent demands on the data than has traditionally been the case, and, thus, allow more detailed investigation of syntactic variation and change for an otherwise relatively inaccessible time period. The ultimate goal is the quantitative analysis of linguistic variables that contribute to syntactic change. In this thesis I attempt to accomplish the following: (1) develop a consistent methodology to define and identify relative clauses in ENHG, so that a maximally broad set of data can be examined; (2) refine existing methodology to ensure the objective, replicable description and analysis of the extensive syntactic variation common to the ENHG period; the method allows us to incorporate a quantitative approach to variation (normally encountered in sociolinguistic work) into general approaches to diachronic syntax; (3) provide a comprehensive description of the relativization strategies that appear in texts from 32 individuals from the imperial city of Nuremberg, specify the various syntactic features exhibited and the conditions in which they appear; (4) discuss the goals of a dynamic theory of syntactic change, outline the necessary components for such a theoretical framework, and illustrate the theoretical motivation for extensive methodology, description, as well as analysis; (5) provide the foundation for future work in which quantification of stylistic and social factors can be applied to the investigation of propagation of syntactic innovation in language communities and development of standard ideology over space, time and social network.