TNTL 117/1-2

Cor van Bree

De morfologie van het Stadsfries

Abstract -- This article proposes an analysis of the morphology of Town Frisian, the mixed Dutch-Frisian dialect of a number of towns in the Dutch province of Fryslân (Friesland). It is generally assumed that this dialect came into being under Dutch influence in the 16th century. Which language does Town Frisian agree with, Frisian or Dutch, in cases in which morphological differences exist between these languages? The analysis shows that the endings of the verb and adjective as well as diminutive formation are in agreement with Frisian, that derivation and composition as well as the sound alternations of the strong verb are in agreement with Dutch, and that the inflection of the noun is mixed Dutch-Frisian. These differences are explained by means of factors which determine the stability at issue, i.e. the degree of awareness. It appears that the stable domains are Frisian and the instable domains are Dutch in origin. On the one hand this confirms the theory that Town Frisian came into being because Frisians tried to learn Dutch. On the other hand it confirms the theory on differences in stability and their effect in language contact and language change.

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