Technological determinism

Question 1

What does Marshall McLuhan suggest in regard to technological determinism

Answer 1

Changes within the dominant medium of communication is the main determiner of major changes within societies, culture and the individual

Question 2

What is an example of technological determinism?

Answer 2

Print - created individualism, mass production and nationalism

Question 3

What does David Crystal say in regard to technological determinism

Answer 3

Linguistic change doesn’t take place all at once, it gradually diffuses both socially and geographically

Question 4

What 2 factors affect the rate of language change according to Crystal?

Answer 4

Gender and Age

Question 5

What is random variation?

Answer 5

Where language users are pulled in different directions at once, we are pulled in different directions when it comes to language because we interact within a multifaceted society