Variation Over Time Flashcards
Language adapts to the needs of its users
Functional Theory - Halliday
Genres can be defined in 2 ways:
By linguistic/generic conventions and typical features of register expected in a particular genre
By ideological conventions eg ideas, attitudes, beliefs and ideas behind a text in a particular genre
The basic conventions of a genre remains constant though the tone may change over time
Genre Theory - Tony Bex
“Language is like a tide - constantly changing. It ebbs and flows bringing in new words and taking others in a natural, progressive way.”
As long as language change doesn’t hinder communication then surely change is good
Tide metaphor - David Crystal
Random events and errors cause language change. Changes are often a result of ever-changing contextual factors
Random Fluctuation Theory - Charles Hockett 1958
Language changes due to 2 factors:
Internal change - factors within language eg influence of dictionary
External change - factors outside of language eg social contexts, ideologies, technology
Suzanne Romaine
Marketing is increasingly attempting to mimic speech with synthetic personalisation becoming more commonplace
Conversationalist - Norman Fairclough
Informalisation is being used in wider social contexts. Professional encounters are now more likely to contain informal forms of
Sharon Goodman
“X” is a supercharged typographic icon (has a range of meanings) eg
X = a kiss
X = incorrect
X = an unnamed person
X = name for one who can’t write
X = mark for a vote
X = a draw on the football pools
X = sign in algebra
X = a cancellation written across other words
X = a site on a map
X = 10 in Roman numerals
X = times mathematically
X = deleted letters in taboo language
X = a replaced prefix in contemporary English – Xpress etc in a company name
Sharon Goodman 1996
Language change takes place naturally over time, but political correctness is a conscious process
Donald Mackinnon
Euphemisms are becoming more common in advertising. Dysphemisms are being avoided in the media
Dwight Bollinger
The Nazi’s use of euphemisms made it easier for the rest of the world to ignore their actions
Stewart Justman 1995
Substratum - changes can be made as a result of interactions with other languages and variations of English
Superstratum - the dominant language influences the structure and vocabulary of the less dominant language
William Labov
