Chen’s S-curve model

What does it explain

How linguistic innovations spread over time

Language follows a….

Set pattern, appearing as an S shape on graph

Slow adoption stage is called ?

Innovation stage

What happens in slow adoption

new linguistic for introduced e.g shift in pronunciation or grammatical change - small amount of speakers adopt initially

Rapid expansion stage is called ?

Propagation stage

What happens in rapid expansion stage ?

lang change starts to gain momentum -more speakers adopt= increase in usage

Levelling off stage is called ?

stabilisation stage

What happens in stabilisation stage ?

changes= near complete adoption -lang change becomes fully integrated -e.g brexit, social distance

✅explains what ?

Social impact on language change spread

What is the social impact ?

open networks= accelerated adoption - closed = stronger ties = resist language change

❌doesn't explain ?

why the languages change in the first place

❌only focuses on ?

Adoption not resistance