AP HUG Chapter 5: Language

Spanish lait

○ Milk= lacte in Latin leche in ________ in French latta in Italian ● Language divergence: Breakup of a language into dialects and then new languages from lack of interaction among speakers ● Language convergence: When peoples with different languages have consistent interaction and their languages blend into one The Study of Historical Languages ● Backward reconstruction: Tracking sound shifts and the hardening of consonants backward to reveal an "original "language ○ Can deduce the vocabulary of an extinct language ○ Can recreate ancient languages (deep reconstruction) BREAKDOWN ● Prehistoric Super Families (ex.

Language

A set of sounds, combinations of sounds, and symbols used for communication

Standard language

A language that is published, widely distributed, and purposefully taught

Isogloss

A geographic boundary within which a particular linguistic feature occurs

sound shifts

slight changes in a word across languages over time

Language divergence

Breakup of a language into dialects and then new languages from lack of interaction among speakers

Language convergence

When peoples with different languages have consistent interaction and their languages blend into one

Backward reconstruction

Tracking sound shifts and the hardening of consonants backward to reveal an “original” language

Lingua franca

A language used among speakers of different languages for trade and commerce

Pidgin language

A language created when people combine parts of two or more languages into a simplified structure and vocabulary

Creole language

A pidgin language that has developed a more complex structure and vocabulary and has become the native language of a group of people

Monolingual state

A country in which only one language is spoken

Multilingual state

A country in which more than one language is in use

Official language

Government-selected language or languages to try to enhance communication in a multilingual state

Place

The uniqueness of a location, what people do in a location, what they create, how they impart a certain character, a certain imprint on the location

Toponym

A place name