Language change Flashcards
Early Modern English
English used in the period between approximately 1500 and 1800CE, marked by a relatively sudden and distinct change in pronunciation and the inclusion of European lexis and the classical lexis or Latin and greek
Graphology
the study of writing forms such as the alphabet
Grammar
the rules for appropriate used of language
Pragmatics
the study of the ways in which language is used in its social context
Semantics
is the study of the meaning of words
Old English
the language of the Anglo-Saxons settles in Britain which was the main language until approximately 1100CE. it is very different in structure from modern English, although a significant amount of modern lexis is closely derived from old English
Middle English
the spoken and written English language which emerged after the Norman invasion and which eventually developed into Early Modern English in about 1500
Great Vowel Shift
a series of changes that lasted approximately 200 years from 1350 CE onwards, in the pronunciation of English, affecting the vowels
Late Modern English
the English used in the tie period after 1800 CE until the present day- the change was initiated by scientific and social developments and a desire to establish rules of language
Colonialism
when a country claims ownership and takes control of another land, usually accompanied by an intention to gain wealth from the products of that country
British English
the variety of English spoken by people in Britain
Archaic
belonging to the past
Obsolete
no longer in use; often the meaning is no longer understood
Lexis
all the words used in a language
Derivation
forming new words from an existing words, often by adding a prefix or suffix such as ‘-ness’ or ‘un-‘
coinage
the creation of a new word which people start to use
neologism
a newly invented word
eponym
a word which takes the name of its invention or discoverer
prefix
a group of letters added to the beginning of a word to make a new word
suffix
a group of letters added to the end of a word to make a new word
root/stem
the part of the word which cannot be changed and which can be added to for a change in meaning
