Language Change

Substratum Theory

language changes as different language or dialects come into contact with standard english through invasion or borrowing (non-native speaker influence dominant language)

Functional Theory

Language changes to meet needs of user (if terms fall out of usage (obsolete), they dissapear; new forms appear to fufill communicative functions)

-semantics and lexis

Random Fluctuation Theory

language arises from random, unpredictable variations ( errors in speech or writting, trends that eventually become normalized)

-explains informal register and digital communication (good for modern text)

Cultural Transmission Theory

language is passed on socially (reflecting tech developments such as emojis)

-used in lexis/semantics

Goodman’s Informalization theory

language is becoming increasingly informal over time due to various social and cultural factors (more colloquial)

Lexical Gap theory

language fills gaps in vocab for new concepts where a word could exits but currently does not (converting an existing word/alternate morphological forms)

-ex: invention of swimmer (from swim), texting (from text)

-can be used to support how new words enter language

-Neologism, borrowing, compounding, affixation

-applies to lexis only

Webster dictionary

Samuel Johnson Dictionary

Accommodation Theory

suggests that individuals adjust their speech and language use to accommodate others, leading to convergence or divergence in communication styles.

Computer Mediated Communication

refers to any form of communication between individuals that takes place through the use of two or more electronic devices, such as email, text messaging, social media, and video conferencing.

Change from above

Describes language change initiated by those in higher social classes, influencing lower classes.

Change from below

refers to language change that arises from the grassroots level, typically initiated by lower social classes, affecting the wider linguistic community.

What fits into Mode/Structure

-Commentary work

-Mode: Channel of communication (written, spoken, digital, monomodal, Multimodal)  

-Tone: formal/informal

--transactional features (instructions/steps, requesting info---”fill this out”, “follow these..”) and interactional features (interacting with audience, maintaining social connection----usage of personal pronouns, phatic expressions)  

Time it was written (how this affects mode, tone, structure)--affordances (enables/offers---ex: digital allows instant communication) and constraints (limitation/restraints---ex: printing leads to cost, time, less white space) 

History for mode

CMC, Printing press (relate back to how this influences the mode)

What fits in ORTHOGRAPHY (spelling)

Ligatures, Long S, Archaic Graphemes, Initialisms/Acronyms, non-standard spellings, deletions of graphemes,

What fits in SEMANTICS/LEXIS

-Word meanings, connotations, denotations, polysemy, homonyms, jargon, slang, idioms, collocations.

-Archaic (lexical) /weakened words, broadening, weakening, amelioration, pejoration, neologism, borrowing, coinage, loanwords, lexical asymmetry, compounding, clipping, affixations  

History for SEMANTICS/LEXIS

Norman Invasion/Conquest of 1066, Rise of internet and youth culture in 20^th century,

Theories for SEMANTICS/LEXIS

Goodman’s Informalization theory, functional theory, lexical gap theory, random fluctuation theory

What fits in GRAMMAR

Syntax, sentence structure, punctuation, commas, semi colons,  

Look at things like how punctuation is used to delineate clauses or phrases. Look at sentence length and types of sentences. Look at WORD ORDER or differences in conjugation. Look at active vs. passive voice.

-hypens (any thing to anything)

History for GRAMMAR

Viking invasions eliminating inflectional case system, Introduction of grammar/dictionaries guides (Johnson’s dictionary and Webster), passive voice informal in 19^th century

Theories for GRAMMAR

substratum theory

What fits PRAGMATICS

Social attitudes, politeness, discretion, societal roles

-pejoration, connotation

Aitcheson’s Parodies of Prescriptivism

Damp Spoon, Crumbling Castle, Infectious Disease