Language Change Flashcards
Compounding examples
Drop-off, passer-by
Blending examples
Brexit, mansplain, chillax
Initialism examples
BBC, RPG,
Acronym examples
LOL, ASAP, SCUBA
Back-formation examples
Edit, burgle, televise
Borrowing examples
Anime, bungalow, tipi
Clipping examples
Fridge, Frag, phone
Affixation examples
Antifascist, preload, unhappiness
What is David Crystal’s view of language change
David Crystal’s view of language change is that “english is not one variety” and new dialects are introduced which causes problems in teaching and there is problems with what dialect you should speak
What is Brittonic language
Brittonic language was a precursor to English which was a Celtic form spoken until 410AD
How did Brittonic language influence current English
There is very few elements of Brittonic in current English - words like basket and flannel and gob and loch
When did Latin become the main language in Britain
Latin became the main language in Britain from 55BC to 410AD
When did Anglo-Saxon language enter Britain
Anglo-Saxon language entered Britain in 410AD when Germanic tribes invaded bringing 4500 words used today and also Viking’s brung 2000 words
When did French language enter Britain
French language entered Britain in 1066 when William the Conqueror invaded with the Normans bringing 10,000 words
Why was Latin still spoken in Britain
Latin was still spoken in Britain as it was the language of Christianity, so spoken in church
When did English reclaim primary language from French
English reclaimed primary language from French in 1453
What was Shakespeare’s affect on English
Shakespeare’s affect on English was bringing 1,700 words through poems and plays like eyeball and lacklustre - showing English was a rich language with emotional power
What happened to English in 1611AD
In 1611AD, the bible was translated to English and King James’ bible brought new metaphors to English
What happened to English in the late 1600s
In the late 1600s, English was used in lectures as it was easier than speaking Latin, and scientists coined new terms like cardiac and tonsil and gravity and electricity
What happened to English from 1600s to 1900s
From 1600s to 1900s, Britain colonised countries like Australia, Caribbean, USA and Africa leading to borrowing of words and new dialects forming
When did the English dictionary begin
The English dictionary began in 1775 where lexicographers wanted to stop the spread of new words.
When was the Oxford English Dictionary made
The Oxford English Dictionary began in 1857 and finished 70 years later
How did American English form
American English formed due to a combination of Dutch German and Italian and then it travelled back to England
When did the internet affect English
The internet affected English in 1972 when the first email was sent and in 1991 the internet was made so conversations could be shared
How many people speak English
1.5 billion people speak English, 25% of which are native speakers and 25% are second-language speakers
How did the Danelaw affect English
The Danelaw affected english by bringing old Norse in legal terms like “law” and “murder”
How was Norman French language used in Britain
Norman French language used in Britain by military, government, legal and church
When was Old English
old english was from 5th century to 11th century
What was Old English
old english was language of the anglo-saxons and was germanic
when was early middle english
early middle english was 11th century to 13th century
what was early middle english
early middle english was Normanisation of language - making french used in law and government
when was late middle English
late middle english was from 14th century to 15th century
what was late middle english
late middle englsih was when french loanwords were used but english began used more in official documents meaning it became more standardised
when is modern english
modern english is from 19th century to current day
what is modern English
modern english is standard english that has been spread by British colonists and now the language of science, technology, politics and commerce
Who wrote Canterbury Tales
Geoffrey Chaucer
When was Canterbury Tales written
Canterbury Tales was written in the Middle English period from 1392
Why is Canterbury Tales significant
Canterbury Tales is significant as it showed English as a standardised language in its own right with ability to be expressive
What words were taken by Viking occupation
Demonstrative pronouns were taken by Viking occupation such as - that, them, those, this
What is the great vowel shift
Great vowel shift was change in pronunciation of long vowels during Middle English period
What are theories for cause of great vowel shift
Theories for the cause of the great vowel shift are due to migration so accents standardised to understand each other and also more social mobility led to hypercorrection of English to be dissimilar from French
What does Chen’s S-curve theorise
Chen’s S-curve theorises language change occurs slowly then increases speed as more people speak the change and then it slows down until it’s fully used
What are Aitchison’s 4 aspects to S-curve
Aitchison’s 4 aspects to S-curve are potential, diffusion, implementation and codification
What is Aitchison’s potential aspect of S-curve
Aitchison’s potential aspect of S-curve is that there is a internal weakness or external pressure for change
What is Aitchison’s diffusion aspect of S-curve
Aitchison’s diffusion aspect of S-curve is that change quickly spreads through the population
Aitchison’s implementation aspect of S-curve
Aitchison’s implementation aspect of S-curve is that people start using the variant in idiolect
What is Aitchison’s codification aspect of S-curve
Aitchison’s codification aspect of S-curve is that the language is accepted officially in dictionary
What does Bailey’s Wave model theorise
Bailey’s Wave model theorises that proximity to epicentre of language change will determine whether language is adopted or not
What is Sapir-Whorf hypothesis
Sapir-Whorf hypothesis is that language precedes thought and controls it, and so different languages have different thoughts
Criticism of Sapir-Whorf hypothesis
Criticism of Sapir-Whorf hypothesis is that it is too rigid as it means that language change is impossible due to the fact people can’t coin new words if you need the language to think of them
What is the reflectionist perspective of language
reflectionist perspective of language is that language is only a reflection of thoughts
What is David Crystal’s tide metaphor
David Crystal’s tide metaphor is the idea language constantly changes like a tide by coining new words and taking out others naturally
What is Romaine’s internal changes
Romaine’s internal changes are factors within language that cause change such as dictionaries coining new words
What is Romaine’s external changes
Romaine’s external changes are changes in social contexts and inventions that cause change such as the term “political correctness” coming from new idealogies
What is decay discourse
Decay discourse is that English language has collapsed from its previous stature
What is purity/pollution discourse
Purity/pollution discourse is that English has became polluted by Americanisms
What is conflict discourse
Conflict discourse is that standard english is now in a state of war against the invaders like American English
What is disease discourse
Disease discourse is that English has been infected and weakened by text messaging and online abbreviations
What is evolution discourse
Evolution discourse is languages can crossbreed in a way that other species do not and language change is natural
What is deficiency discourse
Deficiency discourse is some language is better than others - particularly that of women and young people whose language has lack of vocabulary
What is difference discourse
Difference discourse is some people just speak in different ways, like men and women
What is control discourse
Control discourse is language is form of thought control - governments and those in power use it to stop us expressing ourselves freely
What is morality discourse
Morality discourse is people’s use of language and their morality are extricably linked - like good speakers behave good
What is tidal flow discourse
Tidal flow discourse is language change is natural and is unstoppable so it’s better to swim with the tide
What is declinism discourse
Declining discourse is put forward by Lynn Truss and says there was a golden age of grammar and that the ability to use these correct forms has declined over time
how did Hockett say language changes
Hockett said language change is completely random and random errors lead to language change
