Abstract
Abstract After a period of frequent contact between languages, languages may generally affect each other’s structures, and consequently, language changes are induced. This kind of contact-induced change occurs especially frequently between dialects. There are two major dialects of Hakka in Taiwan: Si-Xien Hakka and Hai-Lu Hakka. Si-Hai Hakka, therefore, arose as the consequence of frequent contact between these two dialects. The studies on Si-Hai Hakka appeared firstly in Deng’s (2000) thesis, and also in Deng (2001, 2002a, 2002b, 2003), Chong (2006) and Chang (2006). However, in each of these studies, only one specific place was chosen, e.g., 峨嵋Emei, 關西Kuanhsi in Hsinchu, and平鎮Pingjen 楊梅Yangmei in Taoyuan, and each of the investigations was based on a few informants. While these studies have certainly contributed to our understanding of language changes induced by contact, in contrast, they have their limitations in that the investigations were based on only few older speakers. Furthermore, they have restrictions on revealing the direction of the language change and the relevant linguistic and sociolinguistic mechanisms involved in the changes. To solve the problems, this study investigates the phenomenon of language accommodation in 新埔Sinpu in Hsinchu County, and 楊梅Yangmei and 龍潭Longtan in Taoyuan County. We have collected some useful structures and vocabulary data by controlling such social factors, as sex, and age of the interviewees. Besides, the effect of Mandarin on these two dialects is included in this study. After collection and analysis, the data were compared with Hai-Lu Hakka spoken in Hsinchu and Si-Xien Hakka spoken in Miaoli. Thus, to infer which linguistic or social factors involved caused the changes in the village and what the direction of change is, we further compared the results of our investigation with Deng’s and Chong’s, to find out the features generally found in Si-Hai Hakka spoken around Taiwan which triggers these language changes.