language change knowledge organiser Flashcards
coinage/neologisms
creation of new words that enter everyday use in our language
archaic language
when words fall out of use and become obsolete
borrowing
words taken from other languages to expand our own
scientific process
medicine, science, and technology have led to the evolution of our language
affixation
new prefixes and suffixes are added to existing words
compounding
when a new word is created by combining two words to create one, usually with a hyphen
blending
when two separate words are actually merged together
clipping
when a word drops certain syllables to create an abbreviation
initialism
the first letter of the word stands for the word itself
acronyms
the first letters of words are combined to create a new word
amelioration
develops a positive meaning over time
pejoration
develops a negative meaning over time
broadening
develops a broader meaning over time
narrowing
develops a narrow meaning over time
great vowel shift
between 1700 and 1900 the long vowel sounds in words became shorter, this helped articulation
external change
outside influences have shaped the development of the language
internal change
internal changes occur to promote the need for simplification and ease of articulation
technology
this has shaped the creation of new words, industry, scientific advancement and inventions have added to new words entering the dictionary
caxton printing press
1476 - william caxton and the printing press led to the standardisation process
standardisation
a gradual process wherein the east midland dialect was selected as the standard form which led to the creation of grammar guides and style manuals
diachronic
how language has evolved over time
asynchronic
how the language exists at one point in time
prescriptivism
restrict variation, control changes, impose standardisation, reject non-standard
descriptivism
describe variation, record change, avoid interference and understand use in context
functional theory
idea that language changes in response to context and needs of users
lexical gaps
words and usages that are not currently used to predict the path that language change may take
random fluctuation
charles hockett - random error and events can impact on the language systems
substratum theory
contact with other languages through different speakers can influence the language
wave and s curve
part of the trend to see language change as an organised process, chen argued that change is taken up at a certain rate by users, bailey argued that geographical distance has an impact on language change
determinisim and reflectionism
sapir whorf hypothesis:
determinisim - lanaguge determines thought
reflectionism - language reflects thoughts
euphemism treadmill
pinker - euphemisms devolve into a taboo word themselves
crumbling castle
aitchison - change is disintigrating the structure of the language
infectious disease
aitchison - change is infecting the language like a virus
damp spoon
aitchison - change is creating laziness
‘swimming with the tide of language change’
david crystal
“there is no predictable changes that are taking place. they are just that: changes.”
‘accidence will happen’
oliver kamm
“pedants are loud, numerous and indignant. they are convinced that standards in english usage are falling, and they blame schools and the media for tolerating this alleged deterioration. the outcome, so these purists maintain, is linguistic barbarism, in which slang, sloppiness and text-speak supplant english grammar. don’t believe it. if there is one language that isn’t endangered, it’s english. the language is changing because that’s what a living language does”
‘the unfolding of language’
deutscher
“of all mankind’s manifold creations, language must take pride of place. without language, we could never have embarked on our ascent to the unparalleled power over all other animals, and even over nature itself.”
‘the language wars’
hitchings
the development of the dictionary reflected johnson’s own changing attitude to english. when he began to work on the project, he believed he could embalm the language, yet by the time he completed it he was conscious of the necessary mutability of english.
‘political correctness: a history of semantics and culture’
hughes
“nevertheless, it (dictionary) has had a major influence on what is regarded as “acceptable” or “appropriate” in language, ideas, behavioural norms, and values”
‘the blank slate’
pinker
“people invent new words for emotionally charged referents, but soon the euphemism becomes tainted by association”
