keeleprugis

Keeleprugis is a theoretical term in linguistics used to describe a phenomenon observed in multilingual speech, where features from one language intrude into another during real-time production, creating non-canonical morphosyntax within a single utterance. The word is a coined compound resembling Estonian linguistic terminology, combining a root related to language with a element suggesting a fissure or crack between linguistic systems. It is presented here as a conceptual description rather than a widely established term in the field.

Definition and scope: Keeleprugis refers to systematic cross-language interference that arises spontaneously during speech, distinct from deliberate code-switching. It involves partial application of morphological or syntactic patterns from one language to another, leading to unusual agreement, case marking, word order, or function-word use. The phenomenon typically operates at an intra-sentential level and may affect bilingual production even when speakers are fluent in both languages.

Mechanisms: The concept is linked to language transfer, processing load, and syntactic priming. Under cognitive pressure or limited proficiency in one language, features from a dominant language can leak into the target language's output. Activation of related structures, lexical items, or affixes in one language can momentarily shape the production of the other, producing hybrid forms.

Contexts and examples: Keeleprugis is discussed in the context of intermediate to advanced bilinguals, particularly when the languages involved share typological features. Examples are variable and language-pair dependent, but commonly involve the unintended attachment of affixes or the adoption of non-native word order within the target language.

Relation to other concepts: It overlaps with language transfer and interference but is distinguished by its appearance within a single clause rather than at discourse boundaries. See also: code-switching, language transfer, interlanguage.

References: The concept appears in discussions of multilingual production and bilingualism as a theoretical construct.