How Does Our Language Change?
by These are the ways in which our language can change. There is a list of ten neologisms firstly, followed by four ways in which words can change meaning semantically.
Abbreviation
Flu
A word is shortened from its original form.
Acronym
Dinky- Duel income no kids.
The first letters of other words are used to create a new word.
Affixation
Unfriendly = un +friendly.
Prefixes and suffixes are added onto another word in order to make a new word.
Back formation
Edit .. from editor.
Word taken from another form of the word. Eg editor.
Blending
Brunch = breakfast + lunch.
Two words are merged together to create a new word.
Borrowing
Sushi = Japanese
A word taken from another country and accepted into our own language.
Compounding
Girlfriend = Girl + Friend
Two words are taken and added together directly.
Conversion
To refill. A refill.
When a word changes its word class.
Eponym
Leotard. Plimsoll.
Taken from the person’s name who invented the word.
Root Formation
Nerd.
Where the word is created based on the phonology of the word.
Semantic Change
Broadening
Butcher. This used to mean just the killing of cattle, now means the killing of any animal.
A word becomes more broad and can be used in a wider range of circumstances.
Narrowing
Meat. This used to mean all food. Now just means animal flesh.
A meaning becomes more narrow and can be used in less circumstances.
Amelioration
Sophisticated. This used to mean uptight and arrogant.
A word gains positive connotations.
Pejoration
Madam. This used to mean posh, whereas now it means a little moody.
A word gains negative connotations.
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Post CommentDarla Smith
On February 14, 2009 at 9:47 am
Very interesting! Thanks for sharing.
Peter Cimino
On February 14, 2009 at 10:45 am
Very interesting. Nicely done.
revivor
On February 16, 2009 at 5:25 am
very clever Gemma, I’d never thought of all these – especially on one page!! Well done
S A JOHNSON
On February 16, 2009 at 6:36 am
Informative
Kalaiselvan
On February 16, 2009 at 8:01 am
Nice Article Gemma.. Thanks for sharing..
Likha
On February 18, 2009 at 6:50 pm
I thought I was attending a freshman English class. Thanks for the refresher course.
Morgana
On February 22, 2009 at 1:58 am
Very interesting
Ori Sonata
On February 27, 2009 at 8:48 am
Yay! Sushi! But yeah we are alive and that make our language alive as well. Life always change.
J
On March 16, 2009 at 4:18 am
wow! this is really interesting…
i learned a lot already… =)
C. S. Robins
On March 31, 2009 at 7:47 am
Interesting…very informative. Specifically, a word can also change in accordance to culture…as evidenced by some of your semantic changes.
Kamlesh Bhatt
On April 12, 2009 at 1:44 pm
Informative and interesting….especially for the ardent readers of the language……..KB.