A Variationist Sociolinguistic Analysis of Intensifiers in Oslo Norwegian

The present study uses variationist sociolinguistic methods to examine the intensifier system in Oslo Norwegian. Results indicate that both linguistic and social factors influence use. Predicative adjectives were intensified more frequently than attributive adjectives, women used intensifiers men, younger speakers had higher intensification rates older speakers. Apparent time analyses also reveal a change progress toward use of skikkelig ‘proper’, led predominantly by young women. Although veldig ‘very’ was most intensifier, its decreases apparent time, whereas increases frequency among development appears follow common pathway from adjective manner adjunct degree adverb, as well appropriateness intensification. Comparisons with work on English, German, Norwegian several crosslinguistic tendencies about conditioning intensifiers. This provides first analysis Norwegian; it support for claims use; contributes visibility variation change.