Language Change

The process through which a language evolves over time.

Diachronic Linguistics

The study of language changes over extended periods.

Synchronic Linguistics

The study of language change at a specific point in time

Historical Linguistics

The study of language change using historical texts.

Lexical Change

Alterations in a language's vocabulary over time.

Semantic Shift

Changes in word meanings or associations.

Phonological Change

Alterations in the pronunciation of words.

Morphological Change

Changes in word structure and word formation.

Syntactic Change

Evolution in the rules governing sentence structure.

Borrowing

Incorporating words from other languages into one's own.

Loanword

A word borrowed from another language.

Neologism

A newly coined word or phrase in a language.

Compounding

Creating new words by combining existing ones

Linguistic Innovation

The introduction of novel linguistic features.

Lexicalization

The process of turning words or phrases into permanent parts of a language.

Archaism

An old or outdated word, phrase or usage.

Prescriptivism

Advocating for a particular standard in language usage.

Descriptivism

Focusing on describing how language is actually used.

Dialect

A regional or social variety of a language

Pidgin

A simplified language used for communication between speakers of different native languages.

Creole

A stable, fully developed natural language that has evolved from a pidgin.

Language Contact

When two or more languages influence each other due to interaction.

Hypercorrection

Overcompensating for perceived grammatical errors.

Metaphor Drift

A shift in the meaning of a metaphor over time.

Linguistic Evolution

The gradual development and change of a language.

Etymology

The study of the origin and history of words.

Standard Language

The accepted and recognized form of a language.

Vernacular Language

The everyday or colloquial form of a language.

Isogloss

A line on a dialect map that marks linguistic boundaries.

Language Family

A group of languages with a common ancestral origin.

Proto-language

The hypothetical, reconstructed ancestor of a language family.

Substrate Language

The influence of a native language on a dominant language.

Superstrate Language

The dominant language that influences a substrate language.

Pidginization

The process of forming a pidgin language.

Linguistic Conservatism

Resistance to language change, preserving traditional forms.

Linguistic Adaptation

The ability of a language to change and adapt to new circumstances.

Euphemism

Substituting a milder, more socially acceptable word for a harsh one.

Taboo Language

Words or expressions considered socially or culturally inappropriate.

Grammaticalization

The process by which words or phrases become grammatical elements.

Language Planning

Efforts to influence or control the development of a language.

Language Policy

Official guidelines or regulations related to language use.

Linguistic Purism

Advocating for the purity and preservation of a language.

Linguistic Relativism

The idea that language shapes and influences thought and perception.

Language Revitalization

Efforts to revive or restore a declining or endangered language.

Lexicography

The practice of compiling dictionaries.

Historical Phonology

The study of sound changes in a language's history.

Orthography

The conventional spelling system of a language.

Cognitive Linguistics

The study of how language reflects and influences cognitive processes.

Linguistic Variation

Differences in language use among speakers and communities.

Syntax

The rules governing the structure of sentences in a language.

Sociolinguistics

The study of how language and society interact.

Language Death

The extinction of a language, often due to a lack of speakers.