3.5.4 Lexical Change

Question 1

Types of lexical change. 2

Answer 1

Innovative

Inventive

Question 2

Types of innovative lexical change. 7

Answer 2

Blending 
Clipping
Compounding 
Conversion
Derivation
Back formation 
Reduplication

Question 3

Blending

Eg

Answer 3

When two existing words are fused to make one new word

Eg smog

Question 4

Clipping

Eg

Answer 4

When part of a word is removed, but the meaning is still the same
Eg gym

Question 5

Compounding

Eg

Answer 5

When two existing words are stuck together as they are to form a new word
Eg icecream

Question 6

Conversion

Eg

Answer 6

When the word class of an existing word has changed
Eg text

Question 7

Derivation

Eg

Answer 7

Adding a suffix to change the word class of a word
Eg texting

Question 8

Back formation

Eg

Answer 8

Removal of a morpheme in order to change the word class of an existing word 
Eg enthusiasm

Question 9

Reduplication

Eg

Answer 9

Repetition of words which are the same or very similar

Eg nitty-gritty

Question 10

Types of inventive lexical change

Eg

Answer 10

Neologising
Borrowing 
Acronymising
Initialising 
Eponyming

Question 11

Eponyming

Eg

Answer 11

Forming a new word based on a brand or a persons name

Eg hoover

Question 12

Initialising

Answer 12

Forming a new word with the first letter being used as initials, pronounced separately
Eg bbc

Question 13

Acronymising

Answer 13

Forming a word using the first letter as initials, pronounced as one
Eg NATO

Question 14

Borrowing

Answer 14

Words taken from another language

Eg gateau

Question 15

Neologising

Answer 15

Coining a new word

Question 16

Inkhorn terms

Answer 16

Pretentious and artificial Latin and Greek terms being criticised

Question 17

Change from above

Answer 17

Language changed from those in authority

Question 18

Change from below

Answer 18

Groups without power changing language

Question 19

S curve model

Answer 19

Users pick up language change at a gradual rate before it accelerates and spreads into wider usage before slowing down again and stabilising

Question 20

Wave model

Answer 20

Geographical distance has an impact on language change spread

Question 21

Random fluctuation theory

Answer 21

Random mistakes and events lead to language change

Question 22

Lexical gaps

Answer 22

When a word that could exist, doesn’t exist but may be present in other languages

Question 23

Substratum theory

Answer 23

English language changes through contact with other languages

Question 24

Functional theory

Answer 24

Language changes and adapts according to the needs of its users
Eg archaism