Language Change Flashcards
archaism
Words which are no longer in everyday use or have a lost a particular meaning in current usage
pejoration
when a word takes on a more negative connotation over time
broadening
the meaning of a word becoming broader or more inclusive
etymology
the study of historical relation between a word and the earlier form or forms from which it has developed
amelioration
when a word takes on a more positive connotation over time
narrowing
when the meaning of a word becomes narrower and more exclusive
Graphology
the writing system
Orthography
the letters and spelling
Pragmatics
the social context and meanings
Morphology
the structure and building blocks of words
Lexis
the words
Syntax
the word order
Semantics
the meaning of words (categories)
Obsolete
No longer in use
Coinage
Creation of new words
Neologism
A newly invented word
Derivation
Forming a new word from an existing word, often by adding a prefix or suffix
Prefix
A group of letters added to the beginning of the word to make a new word
Eponym
A word which takes the name of its inventor or discoverer
Suffix
A group of letters added at the end of a word to make a new word
Root/Stem
The part of a word which cannot be changed and which can be added to for a change in meaning
Conversion
Creating a new word, or a new word class, from an existing one or from a different word class
Telescoping
The contraction of a phrase, word or part of a word
Compounding
Forming a word from two or more units than are themselves words
Blending
Forming a new word by joining the beginning of one word to the end of another
Coalescence
The phonological process whereby two sounds merge into one
Backformation
The formation of a simpler word from an existing one that appears to be derived from it
Reduplication
Where sounds are repeated with identical or only very slight change
Borrowing
The introduction of specific words, constructions, or morphological elements from one language to another.
