Language change — definition?
Alterations in pronunciation, meaning, morphology, vocabulary, syntax
Language change — what?
Alterations in pronunciation, meaning, morphology, vocabulary, syntax.
Variationist sociolinguistics — role?
Studies social processes and factors in language change
Historical linguistics — focus?
Reconstructs past language states; outcomes only.
Change from above — mechanism?
Conscious, prestige-driven, spreads downward
Variationist sociolinguistics — role?
Explains social factors in language change.
Change from above — nature?
Conscious, prestige-driven, spreads downward.
Change from below — nature?
Unconscious, vernacular, spreads upward.
Models of spread — example?
S-curve: slow start, rapid spread, plateau.
Stable variants — example?
(ING) [iŋ] vs. [in], coexist without replacement.
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1. What is the primary focus of variationist sociolinguistics in studying language change?
2. What does 'language change' typically involve according to the revision sheet?
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