Contact-induced developments in Sarnami and Surinamese Javanese

Abstract

In this paper we take a look at the effects of language contact on argument relations and related phenomena as well as changes in the domain of TMA in Sarnami (Surinaams Hindostaans) and Surinamese Javanese. We take a comparative perspective in order to uncover contact-induced patterns of convergence of these two languages with the two dominant donor languages Sranan and Dutch. For Sarnami, we have been able to identify ongoing reconfigurations of head-dependent order, i.e. clausal and phrasal word order (SOV to SVO, Adv V to V Adv, V Aux to Aux V). Surinamese Javanese has canonical SVO order like Sranan and, partially, Dutch so we find other types of effects of contact on argument relations, such as changes in the participant marking functions of prepositions, as well as calquing of Sranan locative and argument-marking serial verb constructions. Other convergence phenomena are found in the TMA domain. Both Sarnami and Surinamese Javanese have borrowed modal-temporal auxiliaries from Sranan (and Dutch), and in some cases the native forms have all but disappeared. We conclude by trying to hypothesize how the developments identified fit into the larger picture of borrowability and stability.