Lexical Change (how words enter our language) Flashcards
Neologisms/coinage
New words entirely
Example of a neologisms/coinage
Blurb
Borrowings
Words from other languages
Example of a borrowing
Bungalow - Hindi
Conversions
Change in word class ( without affixations - spelling changes)
Example of a conversion
“to BOTTLE out” (change of noun to verb)
What are affixations
Where new prefixes or suffixes are added to existing words
What is the difference between a prefix and a suffix
Prefix - becomes before the word e.g UNhappy
Suffix - comes after the word e.g joyFUL
What are borrowings also known as
Loan words
What are common topics for borrowings
Food or objects not originally found within the UK e.g spaghetti
Compounds
Two separate words formed together
Example of a compound
flowerpot
windmill
Blends
(similar to compounds)
Only two words are merged together
Example of a blend
Brunch - breakfast +lunch
What are the different types of shortening words?
Clipping
Initialisms
Acronyms
Back formations
Clippings
Words of more than one syllable are shortened
Example of a clipping
Demo - demonstration
Acronyms
Use of initial letters in a phrase to create a new word
Acronyms
Use of initial letters in a phrase to create a new word
Example of an acronym
YOLO - you only live once
Initialisms
(similar to acronyms)
only you pronounce each letter in turn rather than creating a new word
Example of an initialism
FYI - for your information
Back formations
Where the suffix has been removed from the original word
Example of a back formation
television (noun) gave the word televise (verb)
Derivation
Where affixes are added to existing words
Example of a derivation
UNhappy
joyFUL
Words from names
Where a word has been created from the person’s name who invented it
Example of a word from name
“Sandwich” from Earl of Sandwich as he placed food between slices of bread so he could eat and multitask.
Can we also lose words from our language?
Yes
What are words which have become obsolete known as?
Archaisms
What are good examples of archaisms?
Words from Shakespeare’s plays
e.g. “enow” = enough
External Language Change
Changes from outside influences
e.g. through immigration, invasions and media
Internal Language Change
Changes due to need of simplification and ease of articulation
