Theories
Theory that says language change happens in a more random way
Random Fluctuation Theory
The structure of words with their meaning
Morphology
The process by which a word expands from its original meaning and becomes more general
Broadening
The meaning of words
Semantics
English used in the time period after 1800 CE until the present day
Late Modern English
Theory that recognizes that language is used to function in everyday life
Functional Theory
The pronunciation and sound patterns which affect understanding of words
Phonology
The process by which a word takes on a more restricted meaning
Narrowing
No longer in use; often the meaning is no longer understood
Obsolete
The language of the Anglo-Saxon settlers in Britain; the main language until 1100 CE
Old English
Passing on information from person to person occurs via imitation and teaching, as well as language in this case, through socialization and engagement with others
Cultural Transmission Theory
The part of language concerned with letters and spelling
Orthography
The process by which the meaning of a word becomes more negative than its earlier meaning
Pejoration
The vocabulary of a language and the origin of those words
Lexis
English developed between 1500 and 1800 CE during a period of great change in English Social, Political and Economic life
Early Modern English
When one variety of English influences another variety through contact
Substratum Theory
The writing system of a language, as well as other visual elements on the page
Process by which the meaning of a word changes to become more positive
The rules for the appropriate use of a language
Grammar
The frequent pairing of words found within a corpus
Collocation
Theory that suggests that any change happens in a limited way, then accelerates as more speakers adopt the change, before leveling off over time
S-Curve Model
The study of the ways in which language is used in its social context
Pragmatics
The phonological process whereby two sounds merge into one
Coalescence
A newly invented word, typically seen in advertisements
Neologism
English which emerged after the Norman invasion and eventually developed into Early Modern English around 1500
Middle English