Main Theories of Language Change

Question 1

What are the 5 main theories?

Answer 1

Lexical gaps
Random fluctuation and cultural transmission
Substratum theory
Functional theory
Wave and S-curve model

Question 2

What do “gaps” refer to in lexical gaps?

Answer 2

The words and usages which are not currently used in the language but fit existing linguistic patterns.

Question 3

Example of a phonological lexical gap

Answer 3

Going into the 20th century: ‘pap’, ‘pip’, ‘pop’ and ‘pup’ all follow the general rule of p(vowel)p but ‘pep’ does not even though it would make sense phonologically

Question 4

What are the three ways that lexical gaps are made?

Answer 4

1. morphology - adding inflections etc onto existing words
2. converting an existing word and changing it’s class “verbing”
3. through phonological structure

Question 5

Example of a morphological lexical gap

Answer 5

abstract nouns: transgression, impression, confession
all have the verb counterpart formed by the omission of the “ion” suffix.
however: aggression and compassion do not have this, although formed in a similar way

Question 6

Example of a conversion lexical gap

Answer 6

verb forms are created from existing nouns (often from the field of technology)
to text -> texting

Question 7

What is random fluctuation and cultural transmission?

Answer 7

The changes that occur in language as response to the ever-changing context of language use and its users. They are random occurances

Question 8

Who put forward the random fluctuation theory and when?

Answer 8

Charles Hockett, 1958

Question 9

What is the case of random fluctuation?

Answer 9

It is not that language’s decaying but that everything is changing an developing

Question 10

Example of random fluctuation

Answer 10

“book” as a synonym for “cool” this is due to typing ‘c o o l’ in predictive text came up with the word ‘book’ instead

Question 11

What does the substratum theory focus on?

Answer 11

The influences of different languages which come into contact with English

Question 12

Where do you see substratum theory happening more?

Answer 12

In large groups of immigrants within an area. Because there is such a large group of them they have the ability to influence the English used within the area

Question 13

How did the substratum theory (Old English) work?

Answer 13

The forces that invaded Britain throughout the Old English period. They brought in some of their own words which we still use today

Question 14

How does the substratum theory (Modern) work?

Answer 14

Words borrowed from other languages whether through immigration or cultural connection

Question 15

Example of substratum theory

Answer 15

(Research by Labov)
Jewish community in New York
Spoke Yiddish
Hyper-corrected the pronunciation of certain words and sounds
e.g. “coffee” = “caw-fee”
These are now noticeable features of a New York accent

Question 16

What is the general idea of Functional Theory

Answer 16

Language changes according to the needs of its users. It changes because our world changes and we need new words and language to accommodate this.

Question 17

What is the main area (topic) which is affected by Functional Theory?

Answer 17

Technology

Question 18

What is the main area of language which Functional theory affects?

Answer 18

Lexical, although all area of language can be affected

Question 19

How else does Functional Theory work?

Answer 19

Through colloquial usage and slang of individual groups.

Question 20

How does slang change words in language? (FT)

Answer 20

To fulfil the needs of its users and express individuality. It changes language at a rapid rate and not only does it coin new words but also takes words which have fallen out of use and recycle them.

Question 21

How do words fall out of use? (FT)

Answer 21

They become obsolete or dated

Question 22

What do the S curve and Wave Models do?

Answer 22

Explain the way in which language change occurs. Linguistics found that change didn’t occur over-night, but it happened much more gradually. The two models help to illustrate this

Question 23

Who put forward the idea of the S-curve model?

Answer 23

Chen (1968 and 1972)

Question 24

What is the idea of the S-curve Model?

Answer 24

Change was taken up by its users at a certain rate.
First - change is minimal (only few words would be affected)
Then - change accelerates (affecting the majority of words)
Lastly - change slows (only few words were left to effect and it levels out)

Question 25

What was Chen’s S-curve show?

Answer 25

How change enters the language we use

Question 26

What does the Wave Model show?

Answer 26

How change is adopted by the users of language

Question 27

Who put forward the idea of the Wave Model?

Answer 27

Bailey (1973)

Question 28

What is the idea of the Wave Model?

Answer 28

Explores geographical distance and social strata on language change.
Change begins at mark X
The change moves across a particular region and affects different social groups.
The effects become weaker the further away you get until is becomes insignificant

Question 29

Summary of the Wave Model

Answer 29

The closer you are to the change, the more impact it has on you.