Language Change Cont.

Question 1

Models of Spread/Intro into Loan Words:
how does change from below (unconscious) spread =

Answer 1

• e.g The Gravity Model of Diffusion (NCVS, USA vowel merger)
  1. Change starts in large density population in urban areas
  2. Spreads to other densely populated areas (river networks, road rails)
  3. Leapfrogs over sparsely populated, rural reigns

Question 2

1. Random Fluctuation Theory:
   Charles Hockett (1953)

Answer 2

• Random errors in spelling, punctuation, and grammar drive change
• e.g ‘pwned’ neologism = owned (beaten) in the online gaming world

Question 3

2. S-Curve:
   Chen (1968 & 1972)

Answer 3

• Linguistic research shows that change ‘x’ is slow at first. then expands rapidly, then slows right down again

Question 4

3. The Wave Model (of Spread) (vocal fry):
   CJ. Bailey (1973)

Answer 4

• As change ‘x’ diffuses, it’s influence gets weaker the further away in geographic and social space from it’s origin
• It may skip some social/geographic groups altogether

Question 5

4. Gravity Model of Diffusion:
   Peter Trudgill (1974)

Answer 5

• Change diffuses from the most densely populated areas, to other dense areas, leap-frogging sparsely populated areas

Question 6

Q: When was the Académie Française established?

Answer 6

• A: 1635

Question 7

Q: Who founded the Académie Française?

Answer 7

• A: Cardinal Richelieu

Question 8

Q: What is the main purpose of the Académie Française?

Answer 8

• A: To preserve and standardise the French language

Question 9

Q: What are the members of the Académie Française called?

Answer 9

• A: “Les Immortels” (The Immortals)

Question 10

Q: How many members are in the Académie Française?

Answer 10

• A: 40

Question 11

Q: How long do members serve in the Académie Française?

Answer 11

• A: For life

Question 12

Q: What significant work does the Académie Française produce?

Answer 12

• A: An authoritative dictionary of the French language

Question 13

Q: Why has the Académie Française faced criticism?

Answer 13

• A: For being overly traditional and slow to adapt, especially regarding digital and multicultural influences

Question 14

Q: How does the Académie Française view foreign influences on French?

Answer 14

• A: It aims to keep the language “pure” and has opposed the influence of foreign words, especially English

Question 15

Q: What is the Académie’s stance on English words entering French?

Answer 15

• A: Generally opposed, as it strives to preserve the purity of the French language

Question 16

key terms 2:

Answer 16

• open word classes: classes of words that can be added to
• closed word classes: classes of the words that cannot be added to
• functional words: closed word classes
• content words: open word classes