Theory: Language Change, Modelling Change Theorists, Experiments and Studies

Question 1

Prescriptivist Views Categorised in Three Ways

Answer 1

Aitchison

You can categorise prescriptivist views in three ways:
• Crumbling castle view - English was once a thing of beauty and is now being ruined.
• Damp spoon syndrome - changes to language are a result of laziness and disrespect. Stems from the idea of putting a damp spoon in a bowl of sugar.
• Infectious disease assumption - change spreads like a plague, it should be avoided.

Question 2

All Prescriptivist Views

Answer 2

Hitchings

All prescriptivist views are proxy arguments for something else (social status, cultural identity).

Question 3

Functional Theory

Answer 3

Halliday

Functional theory:
Language changes because the needs of its speakers need it to change. For example, when there were lots of new things being invented in terms of technology, we needed new words, so we invented them.
This only accounts for lexical change, however. In addition, it shows that we can direct change, but not control it.

Question 4

Random Fluctuation Theory

Answer 4

Hockett

Random fluctuation theory:
We make mistakes in language and these mistakes become codified. For example, smartphones often correct ‘fuck’ to
‘duck.
However, if this it to be believed, it does not explain how similar changes occur in different languages.

Question 5

Euphemism Treadmill

Answer 5

Pinker

Euphemism treadmill:
As a euphemism stops being used, a new euphemism arrives to replace it. This is a constant cycle.

Question 6

Substratum Theory

Answer 6

This theory states that language changes primarily through contact with other countries.
However, this cannot account for all changes.

Question 7

Lexical Gaps Theory

Answer 7

This theory states that new words enter our language where there is a space for it when we need to express something. For example, when a wireless internet was invented, there was a gap for naming it.

Question 8

Wave Model

Answer 8

Bailey

Wave model:
A change starts in geographical centre and ripples out geographically. The closer you are to the centre, the quicker you will adopt the change.

Question 9

Challenges The Wave Model

Answer 9

Trudgill

Challenges the ‘wave model’ - argues that often smaller villages and towns get missed out of these changes as they spread from city to city.

Question 10

The ‘S-curve’ Model

Answer 10

Chen

The ‘s-curve’ model:
The sode Vooks at how changes move from inception to mass usage.

            ^
                |                  4
                |         3
                |      2
                | 1\_\_ \_\_ \_\_ \_\_ > 
                         Usage ^ Time >

At 1 - the change is new and only in use amongst social groups.
At 2 - the change has gained some traction and there are a few people using it now.
At 3 - many people are now using the change.
At 4 - everyone who is going to adopt the change is now using it. This is never going to be everybody as people will always resist change.
An example of this change would be ‘Brexit’. Initially, only experts were using the term (1), then the media started using it (2). This caused mass public usage (3) and eventually, almost all of the UK is now using it (4).

Question 11

Language Change is a Process of PIDC

Answer 11

Aitchson

Language change is a process of PIDC:
- Potential - there is room for a change
- Implementation - the change takes place
- Diffusion - the change spreads
- Codification - the change becomes recognised. For example, by being added to the dictionary.

Question 12

Tide Metaphor

Answer 12

Crystal

Tide metaphor:
Language change is like the tide washing on a beach. The tide will sometimes wash things ashore - sometimes these things stay for a long time and sometimes they will be washed away again. This is just like changes made to the language.