language change Flashcards
1
Q
semantic shift (change)
A
•amelioration- a word takes on a different more positive meaning that it had previously thereby gaining status
•pejoration- a word takes on a different more negative meaning than it had previously so losing status
•weakening- a word loses the strength of it’s original meaning
•narrowing or specialisation- a word becomes more specific in its meaning
•broadening or generalisation- a word keeps its original meaning but acquires other
