Theories Flashcards
Sapir-Whorf hypothesis
Linguistic determinism:
Suggestion that language precedes thought and controls it, so by altering language we can change perception e.g. PC policeman to police officer
Linguistic reflectionism
Proposes that language is shaped by our thoughts. The way that people think will eventually re-emerge, even in new PC forms
Lexical gaps
Words are created bc they fit into existing patterns in language. New words may be coined bc it fits with existing words e.g. pep
Hockett (Random fluctuation)
Random errors/events create new language e.g. Brexit, quarantini
Substratum Theory
Focuses on the influence of different forms of lang through speakers of other languages or English dialects e.g. intro of French borrowing in Middle English ‘government’- MLE
Functional Theory
Language changes according to the needs of its users e.g. words become obsolete when not needed (floppy disk), new words created (MP3)
Bailey (Wave model) (2)
Proposed a model where language changes spread gradually out from the region in which the change began e.g. spread of T-glottalisation accompanying Estuary
Significant factors- age, ethnicity, class
Chen (S-curve model) (2)
Claimed language changes at a certain rate- starts slowly then accelerates, then slows e.g. Great Vowel Shift. New forms of speech competing against each other for prominence
Prescriptivism (4)
Came largely from classical languages
Refers to language that seeks to: restrict variation, control future changes, impose standardised rules etc
Not all negative- provides central Standard English form that helps people to learn the language
Criticised for placing too much emphasis on technical language aspects
Descriptivism (2)
Key features- describe forms of variation, record change, present varieties without preference etc
Criticism- standard form can be negatively affected by the use of non-standard varieties in written publications, school or workplace
