Language Change - Modern Flashcards
1
Q
What is the Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis?
A
- Certain thoughts of an individual in one language cannot be understood by those who live in another language.
- The way people think is affected by their native languages.
2
Q
What is Linguistic Determinism?
A
- Language determines the way that someone views the world.
3
Q
What is Linguistic Reflectionism?
A
- The language that a person uses, reflects how a person is viewed.
4
Q
What is Aitchinson’s Metaphors - Damp Spoon?
A
- Language forms that are lazy stick like a damp spoon in a sugar bowl.
5
Q
What is Aitchinson’s Metaphors - Crumbling Castle?
A
- The beauty of English is crumbling away and decaying like a castle that is worn away over time.
6
Q
What is Aitchinson’s Metaphors - Infectious Disease?
A
- Lazy forms of language spread.
7
Q
What is Crystals linguistic economy?
A
- Language is more practical than formal.
- We shorten words for practicality (derived from text talk).
- We communicate online in a similar way we do in real life.
8
Q
What is Hickett’s Random Fluctuation Theory?
A
- Random mistakes/events lead to language change.
- EXAMPLE: ‘owned’ and ‘pwned’ + coronavirus may have also affected our language.
9
Q
What is Haillidays Functional Theory?
A
- Language chnages/adapts according to the needs of its users.
- Words disappear over time (archaisms) like ‘cassete’ to ‘CD’.
10
Q
Whats is Crystals Tide metaphor?
A
- Language is constantly changing.
