ABSTRACT This is a continuation of a research project begun in 1987 with NSF support. The Principal Investigator is investigating and documenting the Creole language of St. Barthelemy Island in the French West Indies. Her previous fieldwork was in the Au Vent ("Windward", or eastern) side of the island. That work, combined with existing knowledge about St. Barthelemy Creole (SBC), made it clear that there are two quite distinct varieties of SBC. The new research will take place in the Sous Le Vent ("Leeward", or western) side of the island, where the second variety is spoken. The existence of two distinct dialects on such a small island (25 sq. km.) is really quite remarkable, and poses a significant challenge to theories of language contact and creolization. Some explanations which have been proffered relate to the history of the island's settlement; these theories imply the existence of a dialect continuum connecting the two major varieties. Whether such a continuum actually exists is an open question, however, which will be one focal point of the research project. If investigation discloses a sharp boundary between the dialect areas, other explanations will need to be sought. The Principal Investigator will be attempting to gather relevant social and historical data, as well as linguistic data, to develop such an explanation.
