Language Change Flashcards
(7 cards)
History of English
450AD-Romans leave
650AD-missionaries come and bring Latin
800AD-vikings come
1066-Conquest of Normandy
1611-King James Bible is written
1857-Oxford dictionary is being written
How does language change happen (internal and external factors)?
External:
The changing social climate (rise and fall of feudalism)
The Industrial Revolution
Increased contact with the worldwide community (through trade)
Internal:
Language undergoes a ‘neatining’ to remove anomalies
Omission - loss of vowels (going to -> gunna) leads to new words formed
Assimilation- sound changes become more like a nearby sound (handbag->hambag) leads to a new norm
Technological advancements
Use of texting and word shortening
Use of emojis - to replicate prosodic features and paralinguistic featured, adds a layer of meaning
Theorists
Jean Aitchison – Metaphors of Language Change:
The Damp Spoon Syndrome – Language change is caused by laziness (like leaving a spoon in a sugar.)
The Crumbling Castle View – Language was once perfect and is now decaying.
The Infectious Disease Assumption – Language change spreads like a disease.
David Crystal:
Believes language change is positive and shows creativity.
Argues that new technology, media, and globalisation expand the language.
Functional Theory (Halliday-inspired)
Language changes to serve society’s needs.
New words/forms appear when there is a function for them.
Prescriptivism vs descriptivism
Prescriptivism: Language should follow set rules. Change = decay.
Descriptivism: Language is always evolving. Change = natural process.
Upward Convergence vs Downward Convergence
Upward convergence:
Speak more formal/standard to fit in with a formal group
Downward Convergence:
Speak more causal to fit in with an informal group
Upward divergence vs downward divergence
Upward divergence:
Speak more formal to standout to show authority and status
Downward divergence:
Speak more casual to stand out and to show pride/resist norms
