Meaning of mimolect | Babel Free

Definitions

A xenolect that has become separated from its matrilect both geographically and communicatively.

Examples

“At some point⟳ in the decreolization process⟳, however, xenolectal structures become⟳ masked by surface-structure mimicry of the matrilect, so that the apparent degree of xenolecticity of the evolving mimolect drops below the real level, as represented by the crossover of A-B and C-D.”

“In the process⟳, as substantial numbers of black speakers underwent decreolization, their decreolized speech, although technically a mimolect, would have⟳ much of the surface form⟳ and therefore social status of a true matrilect, and would itself then serve⟳ as an additional model⟳ for those speakers further behind in the decreolization process⟳.”

“As a xenolect develops, it becomes mimolect, that is, a variety whose external appearance resembles that of another (Stewart, 1989: 263-280).”

CEFR level