Theories Flashcards
Who came up with the random fluctuation theory ?
- Charles Hockett, 1958
What is the Random Fluctuation Theory ?
- Proposed that random mistakes and events lead to language change
Examples of random fluctuation theory ?
- for example, the misspelling of ‘owned’ as ‘pwned’ has become a term in the online gaming community meaning a rival has been humiliated
- Random events, like the Coronavirus, have affected our language
What is a lexical gap ?
- A lexical gap is when a word that could exist, doesn’t exist ( may be in another language )
How is a lexical gap filled ?
- Lexical gaps are filled by borrowing or coining a new word
Example of a lexical gap ?
- ‘Hygge’ is a Danish concept that cannot be translated to a single word, but means a feeling of cosy consentment
What is the substratum Theory ?
- English Language changes through contact with other languages
Main ways of the substratum theory ?
- in the past, mainly through trade and invasion
- social networking and immigration
Impact of developing elements of a new language ?
- may result in imperfections and passing these on
What is the Functional Theory ?
- that language changes and adapts to the need of its users
Who proposed the Functional Theory ?
- Michael Halliday
Explain the functional theory ?
- changes reflect the sociocultural climate we’re living in
Examples of the functional theory ?
- advances in technology means ‘cassette’ has been replaced with ‘SD’ which may also fall out of usage and be replaced with steaming
3 Jean Atchinson metaphors ?
- Damp Spoon Syndrome
- Crumbling Castle view
- Infectious Disease assumption
What did Jean Atchinson do ?
- categorised different prescriptivist attitudes towards language
What is the Damp Spoon Syndrome ?
- view that language use has become lazy
What is the Crumbling Castle metaphor ?
- belief that language is like a beautiful stately home that should be preserved.Language was once perfect, but it no longer is
Weakness/ Limitation/ CA to the Crumbling Castle view ?
- Language is in a constant state of flux so there has never been a period of perfect English usage
What is the Infectious Disease Assumption ?
- Language use is ‘contagious’, bad habits spread to other user
Weakness / limitations / CA to the infectious disease assumption ?
- people adopt new language habits because they like them or because of their needs - not done to them against their will
How did David Crystal explain language change ?
- created his own ‘ tide metaphor ‘
Why did David Crystal say that language is like a tide ?
- constantly changing. It ebbs and flows, bringing in new words and taking out others in a natural progressive way
David crystal view of language change ?
- as long as change doesn’t hinder communication, then surely change is good
What does the ‘ greengrocers apostrophe ‘ represent / mean ?
- If we take language in its bare form, a form of communication, as ling as change doesn’t hinder communication it is good
What is the ‘greengrocer’s apostrophe ‘
- If a greengrocer was to misuse an apostrophe on his sign displaying what he has in his shop, it would have no effect on the legibility or connotations of the sign
- whether it is potatoes or potatoes, the message is not affected
What ways did Suzanne Romaine believe language changed ?
- Internal changes
- External changes
What are internal changes ?
- ‘factors’ within the language
Examples of internal changes
- influence of dictionaries, promoting new words or meanings, the omission of certain words
What are external changes ?
- Changing social contexts, ideologies, technology and inventions
Examples of external changes ?
- political correctness has come about due to ideological change
