6 KEY THEORIES Flashcards
What are the 6 key theories?
1- Functional theory
2- Reflectionism and Determinism
3- Amelioration, pejoration, semantic reclamation
4- Random fluctuation theory
5- S curve theory
6- Linguistic evolution, Deustcher
What is functional theory?
Language changes to suit the needs of its users
- abbreviations, initialisms, acronyms
Suited developing technology- add affix/suffix
e.g. music industry
1980s noun CD used less, streaming became more popular
What is reflectionism?
One side of the scale
- language reflects the society that produces it
e.g. social distancing
What is determinism?
The opposite side of the scale
- language determines the way that we think, behave and view things
Disabled people- change the label to remove the negative attitude
What is the SAPIR-WHORF hypothesis?
Related to reflectionism and determinism
R- to change language we need to change attitudes
D- to change attitudes we need to change language
What is amelioration?
Word develops more positive connotations overtime, undergoes semantic change
e.g. ‘sick’
What is pejoration?
Word develops more negative connotations over time
What is semantic reclamation?
Attempt to reclaim word in a more positive way
slut-slut walking
- reclaim offensive word
What is the random fluctuation theory?
Language change isn’t logical or ordered due to random errors
pwend-owned
Innovation- creation of new word from a mistake
Diffusion- spread of feature from original user to wider population
What is the S curve theory?
Slow start- Rapid growth- Gradual end
- describes language change over time
- new form is now the norm
e.g. television- TV
What is linguistic evolution?
DEUSTCHER
Expressiveness- achieve greater meaning
Some language change is the result of a need for expressiveness to achieve greater effect and impact
- NO- NOT AT ALL- NO WAY
OR ECONOMY
- shortened for efficiency- contractions
- follow established rules, patterns, new words
