Resumen de Sociolinguistically induced process-directionality reversal in Berber

Jilali Saib

• The present paper investigates some cases ofprocess directionality reversal in Berber phonology (e.g. Spirantization> Occlusivization; Assibilation > Non-Assibilation; R-Lateralization > De-Lateralization). What is contended is that the directionality reversal observed is sociolinguisticallyinduced, primarily by variables such äs "prestige," "stigmatization" and "linguistic insecurity." Other socialfactors are also involved, namely "place of residence," "age," "sex," "education," "intra-group vs. inter-group interaction." Thefindings have a great deal ofbearing on issues pertaining to thefollowing topics: (a) causality of sound change; (b) the role played in this causality by extra-systemic (or language-external) factors (viz.

  sociolinguistic ones): (c) language maintenance and language shift.