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Language change: how does change spread? (Innovation, Diffusion and S…
Language change: how does change spread?
Random Fluctuation Theory
Conventions of language are learned by interacting with other users of the language
change can be random/ unpredictable
Charles Hockett: errors occur in lang and we tend to pass these errors on
BUT not all changes are random, there must be some organised process
Innovation, Diffusion and S-curve
Change begins small - affecting only few words
Fluctuation between new forms and old (old/new at same time)
Gradually new forms oust the old
When change takes off, and spreads rapidly - but then slacks off
Language change consists of 2 stages
Innovation: creation of a new word
Diffusion: spread of new word/ phrase
The Wave Model
New form of language starts in the centre and gradually spread out further
As the ripple effect spreads out, the language changes become weaker, this may be reflected in fewer people using the new feature further from the centre.
Influential factors:
geographical distance
age
ethnicity
social class
gender
The Substratum Theory
Speakers learn a new language they will learn it imperfectly and then pass these imperfections on to the future generations
Imperfections are mostly evident in the phonology (sound) / sometimes syntax (sentence structure) but vocab is mostly unchanged
However, when people 'borrow' from other languages, it is mainly vocab that is affected
