Re: Is language development evolutionary, or designed by the culture?

Nathan Sanders <nsanders.DIE.SPAM@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in
news:nsanders.DIE.SPAM-5F6728.20594414062005@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx:

(snip)

> But given a particular geographic/cultural configuration of languages
> now, it's basically impossible to predict precisely how they will
> change in the future, because the forces at work transcend geography
> and culture and are largely random (within certain limitations).
>
I agree with all of your comments, especially, that it is impossible to
predict how language will change, but in response to the original question,
I do maintain that it is various societal pressures that cause the changes
whatever they may be.

I have always considered that immigrants in isolated language groups who
experience a similar environment to that from which they came, will
generally maintain the language without as much change as the parent group.

Can you think of a case where this didn't happen? Not criticising, just
wondering if you have a counter-example.

--
David Wright Sr.
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