**** Decreolization and the post-creole continuum

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Creoles also appear to undergo a process of decay and eventual obsolescence in some instances where contact with the superstrate continues. This process is called decreolization, and is usually attended by a phenomenon called a post-creole continuum, in which speakers range from a more creolized variety, the basilect, toward and intermediate varitiy (mesolect) toward the standard, or acrolect. The "-lect" terms represent poles in a continuum--except mesolect, which represents the continuum itself rather than a particular position. They are most accurately employed as directions (e.g. basilectal or toward the basilect) than as categories.

Most speakers will be able to shift through a range of this gamut but not the whole length of it. Some speakers may have two small ranges--one closer to standard, and one nearer to creole--instead of one large one.

• - Is decreolization a predicatable process? .... <[LINK]>
• - The significance of post-creole continua for African

American forms of English ....................... <[LINK]>

-- Critiques of decreolization as a model ...... <[LINK]>

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Bickerton, Dynamics, 1-19, 169-175; ________, "Creole," 120; Wardaugh, 77-89.