adstratum Linguistics.
(ædˈstrɑːtəm)
[mod.L., ad. Du. adstraat (M. Valkhoff, Latijn, Romaans, Roemeens (1932), p. 17), f. L. ad to + strātum stratum, after substratum 5, superstratum 2.]
Elements or features of a language which are identified by linguists as responsible for linguistic change in another language which is otherwise dominant over it.
| 1939 J. Whatmough in Rep. 5th Congrès International des Linguistes 48 ‘Superstratum’ (and, if I understand it aright ‘adstratum’) are not exposed to the same dangers as the ‘substratum’ theory. 1954 [see substratum 5 b]. 1956 [see substratum 5 a]. 1976 [see superstratum 2 a]. 1978 Language LIV. 424 Substrata, adstrata, superstrata, and dialect-borrowing may all have been at work, in differing degrees, in various regions and at various times. |