English Language Change Key Terms

Key terms for lexical and semantic change in the English Language

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  • Created by: Kate
  • Created on: 06-01-12 16:25

1. The development of Standard English over a period of time

  • Conversion
  • Standardisation
  • Amelioration
  • Cliche
  • Euphemism
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2. Words or phrases that are no longer used or have gone out of fashion e.g. We now call 'Wireless' 'Radio'

  • Archaism
  • Idiom
  • Weakening
  • Broadening
  • Coinage

3. When a word develops a more positive meaning e.g. 'wicked' or 'sick'

  • PC
  • Amelioration
  • Pejoration
  • Acronym
  • Standardisation

4. When a word develops a negative meaning e.g. 'gay'

  • Pejoration
  • Metaphor
  • Archaism
  • Back-Formation
  • Compounding

5. When words lose their original force e.g. 'soon' is now seen as any length of time

  • Affixation
  • Broadening
  • Weakening
  • Acronym
  • Euphemism
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Comments

Bethany

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Really helpful, thanks! :)

Elizabeth Clark

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Question 19 is actually called clipping as well and more commonly called this just in case u wanted the correct, more commonly used word :) but really gooooood !!!

the ***** man

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100% GET IN!

Saito-Kun

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Q12: 'Offensive', not 'Offencive'.

elaine thawley

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Wireless is not an archaism just a word which may be unfamiliar to a modern audience

Ly Lau

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100%! Thank you for the quizz :)

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