Not all grammatical features are robustly transmitted during the emergence of creoles

Abstract

AbstractThis paper addresses the long-standing debate on the nature and complexity of creole languages. Contrary to what has been claimed in the literature, it is argued that grammars are neither robustly transmitted during the emergence of creoles nor that creole languages represent the simplest grammars in the world. On the contrary, after laying down a theoretical framework that spells out the existence of at least three distinct second-language acquisition (SLA) processes shaping creoles, it is shown how different aspects of the ancestor grammars (and their potential complexities) may or may not be transmitted to the emerging creoles and why.