A new role for an ancient variable in Appalachia: Paradigm leveling and standardization in West Virginia

Abstract

Abstract In many rural English-speaking communities, linguistic processes such as paradigm leveling come into direct conflict with social processes of standardization. In the US region of Appalachia, an analysis of pastbeleveling illustrates the progression of the sociolinguistic clashes between these forces. A quantitative sociolinguistic examination of leveledwas(e.g.,We was there) for 67 native Appalachian speakers was conducted to assess the status of pastbein light of economic and educational improvements over the 20th century. The results indicate that leveledwasdeclined sharply, with the youngest speakers demonstrating more standardized patterns. Although the overall rate ofwasleveling declined across apparent time, the rate ofwascontraction (e.g.,We's there last night) increased, offering native Appalachians a reduced variant to contest the social push toward a fully standardized system.

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