Convergence by Shared Ancestry in Romance

Abstract In many cases of apparent contact-induced change the contribution genealogical correlation in language sample and its interaction with processes such as matter pattern replication are difficult to specify. order get a better sense relevance shared ancestry, we quantify similarity since late Middle Ages Romance Germanic languages data from selected grammatical domain (expression reflexivity). We compare their dynamics patterns two contact zones Europe, namely British Isles (Dedio et al., 2019) Balkans. Concerning signal, results indicate maintenance gain opposed loss Germanic. This hints at importance inherited states, time split common ancestor, subsequent developments. presume that these factors likely be origin increase observed for sampled varieties. While this result cannot generalized beyond specific case study presented here, basic approach will contribute understanding how contact, genealogy culture interact shaping linguistic similarity.