Reasons for Language Change Flashcards
What is ‘internal language change’?
Changes that occur within a language due to its structure and usage, such as phonetic simplification or grammatical shifts.
What is ‘external language change’?
Changes influenced by outside factors, such as social, cultural, or technological developments.
How has technology influenced language change?
It introduces new vocabulary (e.g., ‘selfie,’ ‘streaming’) and changes how we communicate, such as through abbreviations in texting or emojis.
What role does globalization play in language change?
It spreads English and other dominant languages, leading to borrowing and the creation of hybrid forms in local languages.
Define ‘borrowing’ in language change.
The process of adopting words or phrases from other languages, such as ‘pizza’ from Italian or ‘ballet’ from French.
What is the Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis, and how does it relate to language change?
It suggests that language shapes thought; changes in language can influence cultural and social perspectives.
How does migration and contact with other cultures influence language change?
It leads to the blending of linguistic features, such as new vocabulary, pronunciation, or syntax.
What is ‘semantic shift’? Provide an example.
When a word changes its meaning over time, e.g., ‘gay’ once meant ‘happy’ but now commonly refers to sexual orientation.
What is the role of prescriptivism in language change?
Prescriptivists resist changes in language, often favoring traditional rules and forms.
How does descriptivism view language change?
Descriptivists view language change as natural and inevitable, focusing on how language is actually used.
What is ‘pejoration’? Give an example.
When a word acquires a more negative meaning over time, e.g., ‘silly’ once meant ‘happy’ but now means ‘foolish.’
What is ‘amelioration’? Provide an example.
When a word’s meaning becomes more positive, e.g., ‘knight’ originally meant ‘servant’ but now refers to a prestigious rank.
How does youth culture contribute to language change?
It introduces new slang, expressions, and communication styles, often spread through social media and music.
What is ‘functional theory’ in language change?
The idea that language changes to meet the needs of its users, such as new words for emerging technologies.
Define ‘coinage’ in the context of language change.
The creation of entirely new words, e.g., ‘google’ as a verb for searching online.
