Unit 7.4 Theories of Language Change

What does 'functional theory' recognize about language?

• Language is primarily for artistic expression

• Language is used to function in everyday life

• Language is a tool for scientific discovery

• Language is a static system

What is an example of a word that emerged during the Industrial Revolution?

• Vinyl

• Cassette

• Telegraph

• Smartphone

What does functional theory suggest about the use of lexis?

• Lexis is actively discarded

• Lexis evolves until it is of no further use

• Lexis remains unchanged

• Lexis is controlled by language academies

Who are some important contributors to the Cultural Transmission Theory?

• Freud and Jung

• Bandura, Mackintosh, and Hartl and Clark

• Watson and Skinner

• Piaget and Vygotsky

When is language learning considered effective?

• When it is done in isolation

• When it takes place within a shared understanding of meanings

• When it is forced

• When it is ignored

What is a key concept of the "Linguistic Economy" theory?

• Language changes to become more complex over time.

• Language changes to accommodate economic terminology.

• Language changes to become more efficient and less effortful.

• Language changes to reflect the economic status of its speakers.

Which theory or model suggests that language change spreads outward from a central point in a ripple-like pattern?

• The Wave Model

• The Dialectology Model

• The Social Networking Theory

• The Imperfect Learning Theory

How does the "Substratum Theory" explain language change?

• Through the influence of technology on language

• Through the influence of a dominant language over a lesser-used one

• Through the influence of languages in contact with each other

• Through the influence of media and the internet

In Jean Aitchison's view, how does 'language economy' contribute to language change?

• By making language more complex to accommodate new ideas.

• By resisting changes to preserve linguistic heritage.

• By simplifying language structures for efficiency.

• By adding new vocabulary to match technological advancements.

What is the primary driver of language change according to the "wave model"?

• Technological advancements

• Geographic separation

• Social interaction and contact

• Natural evolution of the human brain