Flashcard: Understanding Language Change Dynamics — 10 carte

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.