FLUX OF LANGUAGE

Mechanism of linguistic change:

There is no single explanation for changes in living languages.

Theories that are proved to be important 1/7

When a very large and closely knit of group of people adquieres a new language, then the modifications they may do will persist among their descendants,

Theories that are proved to be important 2/7

When a conquering minority of people imposed its language on a conquered population must often have its language modified by its victims.

Theories that are proved to be important 3/7

Prestige: people with the most prestige are more likely to be imitated. When a social group goes up or down in the world, its pronunciation may gain or loose prestige (the Russian Revolution or the French Revolution)

Theories that are proved to be important 4/7

For political reasons a language may be imposed to unify a country (hebrew in Israel)

Theories that are proved to be important 5/7

We all try to economize energy in our actions, we tend to take short cuts in our organs of speech. This is a factor of linguistic change

Theories that are proved to be important 6 /7

Changes in grammar, syntax, vocabulary, and word meaning.

The influence of other language: nations with high political, commercial and cultural prestige tend to influence their neighbours.

Theories that are proved to be important 7 /7

As society changes there are new things that need new names: physical objects, institutions, set of attitudes, values, concepts. New words are produced to handle them or existing words are given new concepts.

The discovery of Sanskrit The discovery of Sanskrit and Grimm`s law.and Grimm`s law.

William Jones British Servant declared that “ Sanskrit bore to Latin and Greek a stronger affinity both in the roots and in

the form of the grammar…”

Later Grimm´s LawLater Grimm´s Law

Grimm´s law states that where Latin amd Grimm´s law states that where Latin amd Greek words have P-T-K , Germanic Greek words have P-T-K , Germanic languages have F-TH-H , eg: pater –vater or languages have F-TH-H , eg: pater –vater or frater-brother. In the same way ….B-D-G in frater-brother. In the same way ….B-D-G in Ltin became P-T-K in Germanic.Ltin became P-T-K in Germanic.

Exceptions to Grimm´s law were explained Exceptions to Grimm´s law were explained by Karl Verner¨s lawby Karl Verner¨s law

Verner´s LawVerner´s Law

If P-T-K folow the accent they shift regularly If P-T-K folow the accent they shift regularly to F-TH-H but but …. If they they precede to F-TH-H but but …. If they they precede the accent they become B-D-G eg: centum-the accent they become B-D-G eg: centum-hundred.hundred.

After many studies scholars began to After many studies scholars began to suspect that Sanskrit contributed to the suspect that Sanskrit contributed to the recognition and determination of the relation recognition and determination of the relation that exists among the languages to which it that exists among the languages to which it is allied.is allied.

Linguistic change in EnglishLinguistic change in English

There are three periods of rapid change in There are three periods of rapid change in English Language : English Language : OLD ENGLISH- OLD ENGLISH- MIDDLEE AGE ENGLISH AND MODERN MIDDLEE AGE ENGLISH AND MODERN ENGLISHENGLISH

THROUGH TRANSLATIONS THROUGH TRANSLATIONS OF THE BIBLEOF THE BIBLE

There is a short passage from the Bibble There is a short passage from the Bibble which has been translated into English at which has been translated into English at different times.The paasage is from different times.The paasage is from chapter xv of the Gosspelchapter xv of the Gosspel

Some examplesSome examples

In a passage of the Bible before the Norman Conquest In a passage of the Bible before the Norman Conquest in the eleven century:in the eleven century:

Long vowels are marked with macron ( horizontal line ) Long vowels are marked with macron ( horizontal line ) over them , short vowels are left unmarked.over them , short vowels are left unmarked.

Words change according to their grammatical function.Words change according to their grammatical function. Word order: eg “ … and he the house approached Word order: eg “ … and he the house approached

“( subject – verb- object ) or other example : “ ….then “( subject – verb- object ) or other example : “ ….then called he a servant “ ( verb-subject-object)called he a servant “ ( verb-subject-object)

The same passage by The same passage by John Wycliffe in 1384John Wycliffe in 1384

Middle English texts: the types of letter g: Middle English texts: the types of letter g: G-GH- and from Old English the letter “ G-GH- and from Old English the letter “ yogh” correspond to modern “ Y” eg: yogh” correspond to modern “ Y” eg: years but in “ nigth” corresponds to “ gh” . years but in “ nigth” corresponds to “ gh” . The passage uses the letter “ i” and “ j” is The passage uses the letter “ i” and “ j” is decoratevely. However the word order is decoratevely. However the word order is very close to that of the present day.very close to that of the present day.

The same passage of the The same passage of the famous King James Bible of famous King James Bible of the year 1611:the year 1611:

We have the personal pronoum thou : We have the personal pronoum thou : you and its plural : ye, and the accusative you and its plural : ye, and the accusative thee.thee.

Thine: yoursThine: yours Word order : “ neither transgressed I….. Word order : “ neither transgressed I…..

Thy commandement…..” ( verb. Subject- Thy commandement…..” ( verb. Subject- Object )Object )