LANGUAGE CHANGE CONTEXT Flashcards
What was the primary impact of the Germanic invasions on the English language?
After the Norman Conquest of 1066, French became the language of government, law and high society.
This French influence meant that the grammar of English simplified, as Old English inflections slowly disappeared due to the analytic structure of French.
How did the Norman Conquest of 1066 impact the English language?
It led to a simplification of English grammar and a heavy influx of French vocabulary.
Overall, what was the long-term linguistic impact of the Norman Conquest (1066) on the development of English?
The Norman Conquest permanently reshaped English, simplifying its grammar and significantly enriching its vocabulary through the integration of French words, particularly in law, governance, and culture.
What was one of the primary linguistic impacts of the King James Bible (1611) on English?
It helped standardise grammar and vocabulary, reinforcing linguistic stability.
How did the King James Bible (1611) contribute to the poetic and rhetorical style of English prose?
By using monosyllabic words and balanced clauses, making the language more rhythmic and memorable.
How did the publication of the King James Bible (1611) affect the accessibility of scripture?
It made scripture more accessible through its clear, poetic language and widespread availability.
In terms of its linguistic contributions, what role did the King James Bible (1611) play in the evolution of English phonology and semantics?
It played a significant role in stabilising vocabulary and solidifying word meanings at a critical point in linguistic development.
What did Shakespeare’s (late 1500s/early 1600s) functional shifts in language involve?
Changing the grammatical category of words, such as turning nouns into verbs or adjectives into nouns.
How did Shakespeare (late 1500s/early 1600s) contribute to the rhythm and structure of English poetry and drama?
By popularising the use of blank verse, particularly iambic pentameter.
What role did Shakespeare’s (late 1500s/early 1600s) rhetorical devices, such as metaphor, simile, and personification, play in his language?
They enhanced his ability to express complex human experiences in accessible language.
How did the expansion of the British Empire (1600s-1900s) contribute to the evolution of the English language?
It led to the absorption of vocabulary from colonized territories, enriching the English lexicon.
What is one of the long-term linguistic impacts of the British Empire’s (1600s-1900s) global reach?
It cemented English as a global lingua franca and incorporated vocabulary from many different languages.
Which linguistic theory best explains the development of new terms like “oxygen,” “vaccine,” and “telegraph” in response to advancements in science and technology during the Industrial Reveloution ( between 1750 - 1900)?
The Lexical Gap theory.
The term used to describe the absence of a word in a particular language where it is present in another.
What is semantic drifting and give a modern day example which has derived from technology?
a form of language change regarding the evolution of word usage—usually to the point that the modern meaning is radically different from the original usage.
EG “Ghosting” referring to suddenly cutting off communication in relationships.
Which of the following is a key characteristic of the linguistic shift brought about by the rise of social media and digital communication?
Simplification of language through abbreviations and clippings.
How has the globalisation of English affected its grammatical structure in non-native varieties?
It has simplified grammar for cross-cultural communication.
Which of the following is a potential consequence of the rapid language changes driven by internet culture, such as viral slang (e.g., “yeet,” “cringe,” “sus”)?
A reduction in linguistic precision, especially in academic contexts.
