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An old or outdated word, phrase or usage.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.