Episode 31 Languages Caught Between Families

Dr John McWhorter (2019)

Film Review

In this lecture, McWhorter explains the difference between “intertwined” languages (true languages created by bilingual speakers) and “creoles” used by monolingual speakers where neither speaker has facility in the other’s language (see What Are Creole Languages?)

Examples:

Medua Lingua – Qhechua speakers from the west coast of South Ecuador use Medua Lingua (Spanish words superimposed on Quechua grammar, ie all Spanish words are given Quecha endings) when they travel to the capitol Quito.

Michif (Canada) – French fur traders who married Cree women spoke Michif, consisting of French noun and Cree verbs.

Angloromani – Roma (aka Gypsies or travelers) speak Angloromani (a blend of English and the Indo-Aryan language Romany) in English speaking countries and similar intertwined languages in other European countries, e.g. Scandoromani.

According to McWhorter, English is “mixed” language rather than a genuine intertwined language. Although it contains many French, Latin and Norse words, most of its basic words are of English (Anglo-Saxon) origin. And although its syntax (word order)  is heavily influenced by Celtic languages,* it’s basic grammar is Germanic.

*Examples of Celtic influence are seen in questions and negatives. In English we “Do you have a cat?” and “I do not walk” –  speakers of other Germanic languages would say “Have you a cat” and “I walk not.”

https://www.kanopy.com/en/pukeariki/watch/video/6120000/6120060