SUBSTRATE

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SUBSTRATE, also substratum. A LANGUAGE or aspect of a language which affects another usually more dominant language, often where the speech of a colonized people influences the superimposed language of the conquering group: for example, the syntax of GAELIC providing the model for the IrE construction I am after eating my dinner (I have eaten my dinner) in the English of bilingual English/Gaelic-speakers and of some unilingual English-speakers. Compare SUPERSTRATE.

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