Creole Genesis and the Acquisition of Grammar

Focusing on the cognitive processes of creole genesis, this study delves into relexification, reanalysis, and direct leveling. It provides a detailed comparison of Haitian creole with French and Fongbe, highlighting how elements from these source languages manifest in the creole. The author emphasizes the contributions of adult speakers and addresses challenges in three key approaches—universalist, superstratist, and substratist—central to the ongoing debate about creole development.