English Language Change: Theories & Attitudes | A LEVEL REVISION | NARRATOR: BARBARA NJAU

Summary

This video delves into the theories and attitudes surrounding the evolution of the English language. It contrasts prescriptivism, which advocates for fixed language rules, with descriptivism, supporting language's natural fluidity. Historical perspectives, like those of Robert Lowth and Joseph Priestley, are examined, along with modern views from linguists like David Crystal and Suzanne Romaine, who address language change through various lenses, including social context, technology, and ideological shifts. The video also touches on the impact of language on thought and the role of linguists in documenting or shaping language evolution.

Takeaways

• 😀 The video discusses theories and attitudes towards language change, focusing on the debate between prescriptivism and descriptivism.
• 📚 Modern linguistics supports descriptivism, which acknowledges language as a fluid entity that changes over time, rather than something static.
• 🏛️ During the Renaissance, language correctness became a class marker, distinguishing the upper class from the masses.
• 📜 Robert Lowth was a prescriptivist who sought to prescribe English grammar based on Latin, while Joseph Priestley was a descriptivist, advocating for simplicity and observation.
• 📖 Samuel Johnson, known for his dictionary, initially had prescriptivist views but later embraced descriptivism, recognizing the dynamic nature of language.
• 🌐 The Sapir-Whorf hypothesis suggests that language can determine thought, which can be used to argue for the preservation of language to maintain consistent thought processes.
• 🌊 David Crystal views language as a tide, constantly changing and bringing in new words, suggesting that change is not detrimental but rather a natural progression.
• 🔄 Charles Jaco's random fluctuation theory posits that language change is driven by random events and errors, influenced by contextual factors.
• 🔧 Suzanne Romaine identifies two types of language change: internal, influenced by language factors, and external, driven by social context, technology, and ideologies.
• 🛠️ The functional theory by Marco Holliday suggests that language changes to meet the needs of its users, such as the emergence of new technology-related terms.
• 📈 Increased informalization in language use, as noted by Sharron Goodman, indicates a shift towards more casual language even in professional settings.

Q & A

What are the two major opposing philosophies in the history of linguistics?

The two major opposing philosophies in the history of linguistics are prescriptivism and descriptivism. Prescriptivism is the belief that there are rules that define how language should be used, while descriptivism is the view that language is defined by how people actually use it, and that language changes are inevitable and should be accepted.

How did the meaning of the word 'vulgar' change during the Renaissance period?

During the Renaissance period, the meaning of the word 'vulgar' changed from simply meaning 'of the people' to its modern sense of 'crude' or 'inferior', reflecting a class distinction between the refined upper class and the more vulgar masses.

What is the main difference between Robert Lowth and Joseph Priestley's approaches to language?

Robert Lowth was a strong prescriptivist who believed in defining rules for language usage based largely on his study of Latin. Joseph Priestley, on the other hand, was more of a descriptivist who emphasized the importance of observation and based his work on empirical evidence and the structure of English as it was actually used.

What was Samuel Johnson's initial goal for his Dictionary of the English Language?

Samuel Johnson's initial goal for his Dictionary of the English Language was to bring rule and order to the English language, fix its pronunciation, and preserve its purity. He aimed to reform the entire English language with his dictionary.

How did Samuel Johnson's views on language change over time?

Samuel Johnson's views evolved from being a prescriptivist to becoming more of a descriptivist. Initially, he aimed to reform the English language with his dictionary, but over time, he recognized that language is continuously subject to change and that the role of a lexicographer is to register the language rather than fix it.

What is the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis and how does it relate to the prescriptivist approach?

The Sapir-Whorf hypothesis, also known as linguistic determinism, is the idea that language and its structures limit and determine human knowledge and thought. This hypothesis can be used to support the prescriptivist approach by suggesting that preserving language as it is, is important because it impacts human thought and cognition.

What does David Crystal's tide metaphor explain about language change?

David Crystal's tide metaphor explains that language change is a natural and progressive process, like the constant ebb and flow of the tide. It suggests that changes in language are not necessarily for the worse but can be for the better, as long as they do not hinder communication.

What is the random fluctuation theory proposed by Charles Jaco?

The random fluctuation theory proposed by Charles Jaco suggests that language change is often the result of random events and errors. It posits that language evolves from ever-changing contextual factors, such as the influence of technology, social context, and ideological changes.

How does Suzanne Romaine categorize language change?

Suzanne Romaine categorizes language change into two types: internal changes, which are factors within the language itself such as the influence of dictionaries and the omission of certain sounds, and external changes, which are factors outside of the language such as social context, ideologies, technology, and inventions.

What is the functional theory of language change as proposed by Marco Holliday?

The functional theory of language change, proposed by Marco Holliday, suggests that language changes according to the needs of its users. It is an overarching theory that can explain various linguistic phenomena, including the emergence of new words to label new technologies and the obsolescence of words related to outdated technologies.