Language change theories Flashcards
(9 cards)
1
Q
What does David Crystal say about language changing?
A
“All living languages change”
2
Q
Why does David Crystal believe language has to change?
A
Because people are always changing so language has to keep up with the change
3
Q
Which languages don’t change according to Crystal?
A
Dead Languages
4
Q
What is diachronic change?
A
The historical development of language over time
5
Q
What is synchronic change?
A
The study of language change at a particular moment eg. the great vowel shift
6
Q
How do social connections and variations in language rely on each other?
A
- Without variations we wouldn’t be able to communicate complex ideas with one another
- Without social interactions, language wouldn’t change
7
Q
What is Labov’s change from above?
A
8
Q
What is Labov’s change from below?
A
9
Q
A
