English Lang- Change-Theories

Different theories that one can use to explain changes in language

Hockett’s Random fluctuation theory

random variations occur in language, caused by it’s speakers unconsciously.

Halliday’s Functional Theory

The semantics of words change according to the need of the language’s speakers at that time. e.g. mouse: rodent to mouse: optical mouse.

Lexical Gap theory

The idea that new words are coined when the speakers are in need of new lexis. e.g. computer

Substratum Theory

Where a substrate (less dominant) language may change aspects of the superstrate (dominant) language.

Goodman’s Informalisation Theory

The idea that language becomes more informal over time.

Romaine’s Internal and External Changes Theory

The idea that internal changes are caused where grammar rules are decided, new words created via morphology, external changes consisting of effects of colonisation, borrowing, gender of nouns e.g. policeman to police officer.

Sociolinguistic/Cultural Transmission Theory

The idea that society and culture affect language.

Fairclough’s Synthetic Personalisation Theory

Suggests that an increase in advertisements means that language is often attempted to be directed/appeal to each member of society as an individual.

Bollinger’s Euphemistic Advertising Theory

The idea that society is increasingly using euphemisms over dysphemisms, especially for taboo subjects.

Zipf’s Law

The idea that the most frequently used words are becoming thise that are the shortest, making it more convenient for speaking.

Chomsky’s Economy Principle

The idea that language is optimised for good communication.

Mackinnon’s Political Correctness Theory

The idea that language is changed to become more correct/pleasant/socially acceptable/morally acceptable/appropriate/useful/politically correct

Justman’s Nazi Euphemisms Theory

The idea that in politics, language is euphemistic in order to hide certain events, e.g. the Nazis used ‘special treatment’ for ‘gas/death’.