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Document Details :

Title: Characterizing a 'Sociolinguistic Area'
Author(s): D'SOUZA, Jean
Journal: Orbis
Volume: 37    Date: 1994   
Pages: 148-161
DOI: 10.2143/ORB.37.0.2012772

Abstract :
The main concern of this paper is to provide a clear characterization of the concept “sociolinguistic area”. The concept is an important one and a clearer understanding of it will help toward a better understanding of linguistic convergence. In the paper I will briefly discuss “linguistic areas” (Velten 1943) and then go on to describe contexts in which the term “sociolinguistic area” has already been used in the literature. Based on these uses I will provide a characterization of the concept and will then examine South Asia's claims to be called a “sociolinguistic area”.

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