File 13.1 en 13.6: Language change (F) Flashcards
synchronically
analysis of a language at a particular point in time.
diachronic
analysis of language across time
historical linguistics
the study of language change.
extension
a diachronic semantic change by which the set of appropriate contexts or referents for a word increases. for ex.: ‘to nuke’ can also mean ‘to destroy’ nowadays.
metaphorical extension
An expansion of the meaning of a word to include an object or concept that is like the original referent in some metaphorical sense rather than a literal sense. For ex.: “to broadcast” (which originally meant “to scatter seed over a field”)
reductions
occurs when the set of appropriate contexts or referents for a word decreases. for ex.: hound/hund used to refer to all dogs. now hound refers to one breed.
elevations
occurs when a word takes on somewhat grander or more positive connotations over time. for ex.: knight (used to mean low rank in military)
degradations
occurs when a word acquires a more pejorative meaning over time. for example: lust (pleasure) -> lust (in a sinful way)