Evolution of the verbal paradigm of French-based Creoles

Abstract

Alternation of verb forms, a well-known phenomenon in Indian Ocean Creoles, represents an emerging morphological innovation in the transition of French popular languages (Chaudenson 2003, Henri 2021). In fact, this alternation occurs in all these Creoles to varying degrees (Henri et al., 2020). Resulting from the organization of the French paradigm structure, this inherited contrast, but morphologized in the context of creolization, will take on new functions depending on the linguistic ecology in which each creole evolves. In Indian Ocean Creole, the Bantu influence is obvious : verbal alternation marks the object. Louisiana Creole, on the other hand, retains certain French functions, while Caribbean Creole features a complex system at the verbal level, where the lexical aspect (as well as TAM markers) plays a part in the interpretation of predicates.

Fabiola Henri

I am a theoretically-informed creolist primarily focusing on the structure and complexity of morphology in creole languages from the perspective of recent implicational models, incorporating insights both from information-theoretic views on 'morphological information' and from modern conceptions of discriminative learning. My research lies at the epicenter of an ongoing reconceptualization of the field of linguistics, addressing its objects of inquiry, its research methodologies, and its principles of theory construction. With the goal of broadening and deepening the kinds of pertinent evidence observable in creoles, my research employs experimental, statistical and computational methods in identifying hitherto undetected regularities and appeals to multifaceted patterns of explanation for grammatical structures and their development. I view the emergence of creole morphology as proceeding from a complex interplay between sociohistorical context, natural language change, type and frequency of imput, substratic influence, unguided second language acquisition, among other factors. My main interests lie within French-based creoles, and more specifically Mauritian, my native language. My research provide an empirical and explanatory take on morphological change in French-based creoles, with a view on morphological complexity which starkly contrasts with Exceptionalist theories of creolization.