Convergence as a mechanism of language change

Abstract

This issue of Bilingualism: Language and Cognition is about convergence, a type of language change that is contact-induced and results in greater similarity between two languages that are in contact with each other. In Backus (forthcoming), I have attempted an overview of contact-induced language change, focusing on causal factors, on mechanisms of change, and on the actual changes. In this conclusion, I will try to give convergence its rightful place in this general typology, referencing the contributions to this volume where appropriate.