Foundations
Who created the Wave Model?
Johannes Schmidt
In the Wave Model, changes in language spread outward from what starting point?
A central point or epicenter
True or False: The Wave Model explains how slang spreads across social groups.
True
The Wave Model is most often used to study what type of language change?
Dialectal and phonological change
The Wave Model is often compared to what physical phenomenon?
Ripple effects in water
In what century was the Wave Model developed?
19th century
What term describes the gradual weakening of language changes as they move outward?
Attenuation
Give one example of a linguistic feature that could spread using the Wave Model.
New pronunciations or phrases like “y’all”
Why is the Wave Model important for sociolinguistics?
It shows how social factors influence language change
True or False: The Wave Model accounts for sudden and abrupt language changes.
False
The Wave Model was developed as an alternative to what earlier linguistic theory?
The Tree Model
What metaphor does the "wave" in the Wave Model represent?
Waves of influence spreading like ripples in water
In what type of communities is the Wave Model most easily observed?
Geographically connected or close-knit communities
What modern phenomenon mirrors the ideas of the Wave Model in spreading trends or ideas?
Social media influence
What modern linguistic theory builds on ideas similar to the Wave Model?
Diffusion Theory
What does the Wave Model emphasize about the spread of linguistic changes?
That changes spread gradually and unevenly, like ripples in water
What is the "epicenter" in the context of the Wave Model?
The starting point where a language change begins
How might a new word spread through a community according to the Wave Model?
It spreads outward from one person or group to others, like ripples.
How does the Wave Model differ from the Tree Model in explaining language change?
The Wave Model shows gradual overlapping changes, while the Tree Model assumes clear-cut branches.
True or False: The Wave Model can only explain geographical language changes.
False
The Wave Model applies to what kind of changes in a language?
Sound changes, vocabulary shifts, and grammatical changes
What is the difference between "upward convergence" and "downward convergence" in the Wave Model?
Upward convergence is when changes move toward more prestigious forms, and downward convergence spreads to less formal forms
What is an example of a sound change that could spread via the Wave Model?
The loss of the "r" sound in certain British accents spreading to nearby regions.
What is one limitation of the Wave Model in studying language change?
It does not clearly explain why certain changes spread while others do not.
What natural occurrence inspired Schmidt to name it the "Wave Model"?
Ripples or waves spreading outward in water.