File 13.1 en 13.6: Language change (F)

Question 1

synchronically

Answer 1

analysis of a language at a particular point in time.

Question 2

diachronic

Answer 2

analysis of language across time

Question 3

historical linguistics

Answer 3

the study of language change.

Question 4

extension

Answer 4

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.

Question 5

metaphorical extension

Answer 5

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”)

Question 6

reductions

Answer 6

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.

Question 7

elevations

Answer 7

occurs when a word takes on somewhat grander or more positive connotations over time. for ex.: knight (used to mean low rank in military)

Question 8

degradations

Answer 8

occurs when a word acquires a more pejorative meaning over time. for example: lust (pleasure) -> lust (in a sinful way)