Distributions of case allomorphy by multilingual children

• DOI: 10.1075/lv.16.1.04osh
• Publication Date: 2016-10-07T08:38:32Z
• Authors: Carmel O'Shannessy
• Keywords: Ergative case; Word order; Dative case

When a new linguistic code emerges and stabilizes, what are the roles of children adults in leading consolidating changes? This question lies at intersection child language acquisition contact-induced change. Adults have played different development mixed code, Light Warlpiri, spoken Warlpiri community northern Australia that arose from code-switching practices among bilinguals. Elements typologically dissimilar languages combined systematically language, with verbal nominal structures derived sources. Verbal morphology is English/Kriol (which fixed nominative-accusative word order patterns), addition some innovations, probably brought by speakers who were then children. Nominal case (with ergative-absolutive case-marking, flexible order). But shows redistributions suffix allomorphy Warlpiri. The paper emerging case-marking patterns tracks changes.