Language Change - Modern

Question 1

What is the Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis?

Answer 1

• 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.

Question 2

What is Linguistic Determinism?

Answer 2

• Language determines the way that someone views the world.

Question 3

What is Linguistic Reflectionism?

Answer 3

• The language that a person uses, reflects how a person is viewed.

Question 4

What is Aitchinson’s Metaphors - Damp Spoon?

Answer 4

• Language forms that are lazy stick like a damp spoon in a sugar bowl.

Question 5

What is Aitchinson’s Metaphors - Crumbling Castle?

Answer 5

• The beauty of English is crumbling away and decaying like a castle that is worn away over time.

Question 6

What is Aitchinson’s Metaphors - Infectious Disease?

Answer 6

• Lazy forms of language spread.

Question 7

What is Crystals linguistic economy?

Answer 7

• 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.

Question 8

What is Hickett’s Random Fluctuation Theory?

Answer 8

• Random mistakes/events lead to language change.
• EXAMPLE: ‘owned’ and ‘pwned’ + coronavirus may have also affected our language.

Question 9

What is Haillidays Functional Theory?

Answer 9

• Language chnages/adapts according to the needs of its users.
• Words disappear over time (archaisms) like ‘cassete’ to ‘CD’.

Question 10

Whats is Crystals Tide metaphor?

Answer 10

• Language is constantly changing.