Title

A perceptual dialectology approach to Haíɫzaqvḷa

Abstract

I adapt perceptual dialectological techniques to address how dialectal variation in Haíɫzaqvḷa or Heiltsuk (a critically Upper Northern Wakashan language) is perceived by fluent Elder speakers in the First Nation community of Bella Bella. I utilise semi-structured interviews and participatory mapping exercises to understand how contemporary speech variation is judged and evaluated. These perceptions are based on speakers’ attitudes, commentaries, and their latent historical memory of the distinct dialects of the five principal tribes that comprise the Bella Bella population today. Interview findings reveal cross-linguistic similarities in how speakers describe dialectal variation related to their individual awareness and detail of linguistic features. Speakers emphasise perceived prosodic differences as most distinctive between contemporary Haíɫzaqvḷa variants and amongst other Upper Northern Wakashan languages generally. The mapping data also provide an alternative account of the historical dialect levelling that took place in the community. Responses centre on traditional seasonal practices, which partially provided a means to manufacture regular geographic isolation to maintain dialectal distinctions and hasten levelling into the mid-1900s post-tribal amalgamation. Multilingualism and kinship are acknowledged as salient factors in attitude formation and the dialectology.

About the student 

Ben (he/him) is an MA student and ally in Indigenous language revitalization and rights, locally and globally. He is non-Indigenous from a mixed Korean and Ashkenazi background and has worked with communities in BC as a partner in revitalization efforts for the last seven years. He is interested in working with Nations to understand language change and variation in and across communities and through archival documentation. Most closely, Ben has had the great honour and pleasure to work with the Haíɫzaqv (Heiltsuk) Nation in curriculum development and language technology projects as well as learn from Kwak̓wala and Tŝilhqotʼin (Chilcotin) speakers. Aside from linguistics, Ben enjoys cooking and strength training. He also spends a lot of time with his dog, Sundae, a chiweenie. 

Exam committee

• Dr. Marianne Ignace (Supervisor)
• Dr. Ashley Farris-Trimble (Chair)
• Dr. Panos Pappas (Committee member)
• Dr. Sarah Shulist (External examiner, Queen's University)