Language Change Flashcards
Reasons for language change
Technology, social changes, travel, science
Prescriptivism
The belief that language is correct or incorrect
One type of language is accepted
Descriptivism
Belief that many different types of language are acceptable
And there is not a right and wrong way to use it
Affixation
Adding a prefix or a suffix to a word
Compounding
Combing two words together
Convergence
Conform to a more dialectical lexis to fit in
Divergence
Move away from the lexis used to show personal differences
Blending
Two words moulded together to form a new word
“Smog”
Conversion
Changing of a word class
Semantic broadening
Meaning of a word widens so it retains the old meaning and also takes on new meanings as well
Semantic narrowing
Opposite of broadening
When a word becomes more specific in its meaning but can also retain its original meaning
Amelioration
Word has taken on a more pleasant mor positive meaning than it originally held
For example “wicked”
Pejoration
Words become less positive
Eg “awful”
Originally meaning full of awe now meaning very bad
Metaphor
Words take on new meanings when b gin to be used metaphorically
Idioms
Formed form existing words but have new meanings due to the fixed frame form it is in
E.g. in the dog house
