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Language Change

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In some ways, it is surprising that languages change. After all, they are passed down through the generations reliably enough for parents and children to communicate with each other. Yet linguists find that all languages change over time—albeit at different rates. For example, while Japanese has changed relatively little over 1,000 years, English evolved rapidly in just a few centuries. Many present-day speakers find Shakespeare’s sixteenth century texts difficult and Chaucer’s fourteenth century Canterbury Tales nearly impossible to read.
Screenshot of Flash movie: Chaucer
Credit: From Cassell's History of England - Century Edition, circa 1902 (Chaucer); design by National Science Foundation;
Translation by Joan Maling, National Science Foundation

Why They Change

Languages change for a variety of reasons. Large-scale shifts often occur in response to social, economic and political pressures. History records many examples of language change fueled by invasions, colonization and migration. Even without these kinds of influences, a language can change dramatically if enough users alter the way they speak it.

Frequently, the needs of speakers drive language change. New technologies, industries, products and experiences simply require new words. Plastic, cell phones and the Internet didn’t exist in Shakespeare’s time, for example. By using new and emerging terms, we all drive language change. But the unique way that individuals speak also fuels language change. That’s because no two individuals use a language in exactly the same way. The vocabulary and phrases people use depend on where they live, their age, education level, social status and other factors. Through our interactions, we pick up new words and sayings and integrate them into our speech. Teens and young adults for example, often use different words and phrases from their parents. Some of them spread through the population and slowly change the language.

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Ketersediaan

Informasi Detail

Judul Seri

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No. Panggil

420 Byb L

Penerbit

United Kingdom : Cambridge University Press., 2015

Deskripsi Fisik

xviii, 292 Hlm ; 24 Cm

Bahasa

Indonesia

ISBN/ISSN

9781107655829

Klasifikasi

420

Tipe Isi

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Tipe Media

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Tipe Pembawa

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Edisi

1

Subjek

Language Study

Info Detail Spesifik

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Pernyataan Tanggungjawab

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Versi lain/terkait

Lampiran Berkas

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