Key Terms - Language Change

Diachronic Change

An approach in linguistics, as in historical lingustics, considers the development and evolution of a language through history.

Synchronic Change

An approach in linguistics which considers a language at a moment in time without taking its history into account. Synchronic linguistics aims at describing a language at a specific point intime, often the present.

Neologisms

New words themselves. E.g coach potato and meme

Coinage

The creation of new words

Borrowing (loan)

to borrow a term from another language e.g. the word barbeque is from Spain.

Scientific Progress

Advances in medicine, science & technology.

Compounding

joining 2 separate words together e.g. handbag.

Blending

2 words merged together e.g. Oxbridge.

Obsolete

words that are no longer in use

Conversion

when new words change class e.g. from noun to verb i.e. mail → to mail.

Eponym

name of person after which something is named e.g. Sandwich, Braille

Proprietary Names

name given to product by one organisation which becomes the common name e.g. Walkman, Hoover.

Archaisms

words that have become obsolete.

Idiosyncrasies

different sounds for the same letter configurations e.g. –ough. These are due to changes in pronunciation during standardisation.

Weakening

Word loses strength of meaning. Eg Soon or presently Before: immediately Now: In a short while

Broadening (generalisation)

Word that has specific meaning becomes more general over time. Eg Place Before: broad street Now: any area

Narrowing (Specialisation)

Word that has a general meaning can develop a narrower meaning. Eg Meat Before: any food, Now: flesh of an animal

Metonymy

when we use a word associated with an object instead of the object’s actual name e.g. The pen is mightier than the sword.

Euphemism

use of alternative words or phrases to avoid offending someone e.g. death – passed away

Idiom

sayings that don’t make sense if you literally interpret the meaning e.g. it is raining cats & dogs

Proclitic contractions

beginning of words eg ‘twas

Enclitic Contractions

End of words eg it’s