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1 - Language Contact and Structure in Urban IsiXhosa and Associated Youth Languages

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 August 2021

By
Silvester Ron Simango
Edited by
Rajend Mesthrie ,
Ellen Hurst-Harosh  and
Heather Brookes
Rajend Mesthrie
Affiliation:
University of Cape Town
Ellen Hurst-Harosh
Affiliation:
University of Cape Town
Heather Brookes
Affiliation:
University of Cape Town
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Summary

This chapter explores the role of language contact in the development of linguistic varieties associated with urban youth in South Africa. Youth languages arise out of contexts typically characterised by intense language contact in which code-switching is an integral part of daily speech. The chapter focuses on the mechanism through which linguistic features are blended together in creating the mainstream urban varieties on which youth varieties are based. These varieties display unique features in the lexicon, as well as the apparent grammatical convergence of the languages in the mix. Drawing on theoretical insights from the Matrix Language Frame model and the 4-M model, the chapter analyses data primarily drawn from informal interviews with Tsotsitaal speakers recorded in East London in the Eastern Cape. The chapter seeks to show that although youth languages represent an extreme form of informal speech typified by slang, lexical innovations and manipulations, as well as frequent switching, they have an identifiable structure or grammar, which is not significantly different from the mainstream urban varieties.

Keywords

code-switchingcode-mixingmultilingualismbilingual grammarurban languagesyouth languages
Type
Chapter
Information
Youth Language Practices and Urban Language Contact in Africa , pp. 13 - 38
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2021

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