Theories of Language Change
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Questions and Answers

What is the main focus of Functional Theory according to the text?

  • The relationship between language and culture
  • The everyday functions of language (correct)
  • The historical development of language
  • The impact of technology on language

    • How does Functional Theory view the role of language change?

  • As a way to preserve traditional language structures
  • As a hindrance to effective communication
  • As a reflection of societal prestige
  • As a tool to carry out changing economic and social functions (correct)

    • What does Halliday's Functional Theory consider as supporting the need for efficiency among users?

  • The differentiation of language based on social class
  • The development of slang words
  • Shortening of words and other devices (correct)
  • The use of formal language in all contexts

    • What does Cultural Transmission Theory focus on?

    <p>The passing on of non-biological information through imitation, teaching, and language</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who are mentioned as important contributors to Cultural Transmission Theory in the text?

    <p>Bandura (1977); Mackintosh (1983); Hartl and Clark (1997)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What makes up our culture according to the text?

    <p>The sum total of society's ideas, customs, social behavior, and non-biological information we use</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which model proposes that languages evolve from one disturbance or change, replicating how ripples move from the centre of a disturbance in water?

    <p>Wave Model</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which proto-language is considered the common ancestor for English, German, Dutch, and other Germanic languages?

    <p>Proto-Germanic</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In what year was Jean Aitchison's book 'Language Change: Progress or Decay?' written?

    <p>1981</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which model proposes that changes in language begin in a limited way, speed up as more speakers adopt the change, and then eventually level off?

    <p>S-curve Model</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What suffix is accepted on words like 'prosper' but not on words like 'calm'?

    <p>-ity</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which model is based on the assumption that languages change as they split from a common core?

    <p>Tree Model</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which model tracks groups of languages back to a proto-language, their shared ancestor?

    <p>Tree Model</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does Cultural Transmission Theory primarily explore?

    <p>Language learning through social interaction</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In Cultural Transmission Theory, how is language transmitted?

    <p>One-way system from pre-existing to emerging generation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What scenario best describes when language change occurs according to Cultural Transmission Theory?

    <p>When individuals and groups perceive a benefit in adopting a change</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which theory links language change to the uneven use of spoken language?

    <p>Random Fluctuation Theory</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a key factor highlighted by the Substratum Theory for language change?

    <p>Language change is influenced by the spread of language and global interactions</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to the Theory of Lexical Gaps, what is the purpose of new words emerging in a language?

    <p>To enrich the stock of words in a language</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why do second-generation language speakers tend to shift pronunciation according to Substratum Theory?

    <p>To align with the pronunciation of the dominant community</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of learning is not covered by Cultural Transmission Theory?

    <p>'Trial and Error' learning</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What drives language change according to Cultural Transmission Theory?

    <p>Complexity within society</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to Guy Deutscher, how does language change occur?

    <p>Through a desire for order and regularity combined with an effort to be expressive.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does Basil Bernstein's theory of restricted code emphasize?

    <p>Short and context-bound language understood by immediate groups.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What led to Basil Bernstein developing the theory of restricted and elaborated codes?

    <p>The differing performances of economically disadvantaged children in language versus math subjects.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In the context of language proficiency, what do restricted and elaborated codes refer to?

    <p>The suitability of language for different situations.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does Guy Deutscher compare language change to 'mankind's greatest invention'?

    <p>He suggests it was never invented but rather naturally evolved.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What distinguishes elaborated code from restricted code according to Basil Bernstein?

    <p>Varied grammar structures and lexis.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why did Basil Bernstein propose the theory of restricted and elaborated codes?

    <p>To address the limited performance of some groups in language-based subjects.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    "Too many words can devalue what is said" reflects which concept mentioned in the text?

    <p>&quot;Excess of words as self-defeating&quot;</p> Signup and view all the answers

    "Range of utterances and reasoning" is associated with which type of code outlined by Bernstein?

    <p>&quot;Elaborated Code&quot;</p> Signup and view all the answers

    "Limited lexis and reasoning" is a characteristic of which concept discussed in the text?

    <p>&quot;Restricted Code&quot;</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main focus of Functional Theory according to the text?

    <p>Recognizes that language is used to function in everyday life and believes that language changes according to the needs of its users.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who are mentioned as important contributors to Cultural Transmission Theory in the text?

    <p>Bandura, Mackintosh, Hartl, Clark</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does Functional Theory view the role of language change?

    <p>Functional Theory sees language change as a tool that enables changing economic and social functions in society to be carried out.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What drives language change according to Cultural Transmission Theory?

    <p>Imitation, teaching, and language allow information to be passed on from individual to individual.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What makes up our culture according to the text?

    <p>Society’s ideas, customs, social behavior, non-biological information like food, education content, and values</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of new words emerging in a language according to the Theory of Lexical Gaps?

    <p>To fill lexical gaps or express concepts for which no words currently exist.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Explain the difference between the Tree Model and the Wave Model of Language Change.

    <p>The Tree Model focuses on languages splitting from a common core like a family tree, while the Wave Model proposes languages evolving from one disturbance like ripples in water.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does the S-curve Model explain the process of language change?

    <p>The S-curve Model suggests that language changes start slowly, gain momentum as more people adopt the change, and eventually level off.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to Jean Aitchison, what is the main debate in language change: progress or decay?

    <p>Jean Aitchison discusses whether language change represents progress by birthing the new or decay by dying of the old.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the key feature of the Prescriptive Approach to language change?

    <p>The Prescriptive Approach advocates for preserving a 'gold standard' of English.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does the S-curve Model depict the nature of language change over time?

    <p>The S-curve Model shows the gradual beginning of language change, a rapid acceleration as more people adopt it, and a slow-down once the change becomes dominant.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does Jean Aitchison's book 'Language Change: Progress or Decay?' focus on?

    <p>The book discusses the debate surrounding whether language change signifies progress by introducing new forms or decay by losing old forms.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Explain the concept of the 'gold standard' in the context of the Prescriptive Approach.

    <p>The 'gold standard' refers to the ideal form of English language that the Prescriptive Approach aims to preserve.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does the Wave Model differ from the Tree Model in understanding language evolution?

    <p>The Wave Model views language evolution as originating from one disturbance, while the Tree Model tracks language changes through splits like a family tree.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the central question in the debate of language change according to Jean Aitchison?

    <p>The central question revolves around whether language change represents progress through innovation or decay by losing traditional forms.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Describe the main focus of Jean Aitchison's book 'Language Change: Progress or Decay?'

    <p>The book primarily explores the contrasting views on language change as either progress through the introduction of new forms or decay through the loss of traditional forms.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main idea behind Substratum Theory in relation to language change?

    <p>Language change is related to the spread of language and global influences, leading to changes in the English language.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does Cultural Transmission Theory explain the process of learning new information, specifically language?

    <p>Through engagement and socialization with others in society.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to Random Fluctuation Theory, how do languages change?

    <p>Languages change as a result of the uneven use of spoken language by its users.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of the Theory of Lexical Gaps in language evolution?

    <p>To address the need for new words to emerge and expand the stock of words in a language.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does Cultural Transmission Theory view the transmission of language?

    <p>As a one-way system from the pre-existing generation to the emerging generation.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role does socialization play in language change according to Cultural Transmission Theory?

    <p>Socialization with others in society influences the acquisition and use of language.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does the Theory of Lexical Gaps propose new words to be created?

    <p>Through combining existing letters and sound combinations to form new words.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What drives language change according to Cultural Transmission Theory?

    <p>The need for language variety to adapt to the complexity of society.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to Random Fluctuation Theory, what influences the changes in languages?

    <p>The uneven use of spoken language by its users.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does Substratum Theory explain the global influence on language change?

    <p>It attributes language change to the spread of one language variety impacting another through contact.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to Guy Deutscher, what are the two main factors contributing to language change?

    <p>Predictable patterns and shortcuts, combined with efforts to be expressive and original.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are the distinguishing features of Elaborated Code according to Basil Bernstein?

    <p>Accurate and varied grammatical order, complex sentences, unusual lexis, and a range of reasoning.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Explain the difference between Restricted Code and Elaborated Code in terms of language use.

    <p>Restricted Code is brief, context-bound, and understood by a limited group, while Elaborated Code is detailed, universally understandable, and explains concepts fully.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why did Basil Bernstein develop the theory of restricted and elaborated codes?

    <p>To explain the performance gap in language-based subjects among economically disadvantaged children.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the critical link highlighted between language proficiency and academic achievement in primary school entrants?

    <p>The concern that poor language proficiency may lead to low academic achievement.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What did Guy Deutscher clepe as 'the evolution of mankind’s greatest invention'?

    <p>Language.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does Basil Bernstein differentiate between Restricted Code and Elaborated Code in terms of lexis and reasoning?

    <p>Restricted Code has limited lexis and reasoning, while Elaborated Code includes varied lexis and reasoning.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main goal of Elaborated Code according to Basil Bernstein?

    <p>To make information comprehensible to everyone.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary concern raised in New Zealand studies regarding primary school entrants?

    <p>The literacy and numeracy skills of new entrants, particularly in oral language.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does Basil Bernstein explain the lesser performance in language-based subjects by some groups of economically disadvantaged children?

    <p>Through the theory of restricted and elaborated codes, suggesting that language complexity affects educational achievement.</p> Signup and view all the answers

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