English Language Key Terms-Language Change

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Adding new words/Old words falling out of use
Lexical Change
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Existing words remain in use but meanings change
Semantic Change
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Creation of new words
Coinage
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Taking words from other languages
Borrowing
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Adding prefixes or suffixes to existing words to form new ones
Affixing
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Combining words to form a new one
Compounding
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A new word is formed by shortening an existing word
Abbreviations
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Parts of words are joined together
Blends
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When the word class of an existing word changes creating a new word
Conversion
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Words that fall out of use
Archaisms
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A word of one type is shortened to become a different type of word
Back Formation
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Words formed from initial letters
Acronyms
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Letters are not pronounced as a word
Initialisms
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E.g. Sandwiches is derived from the Earl of Sandwich
Words From Names
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E.g. Hoover, Yo Yo
Trade Names
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A words meaning maintains its original but broadens to include a new meaning
Generalisation
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A word becomes more specific in its meaning
Narrowing
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Meaning of a word changes into a more positive one
Amelioration
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Meaning of a word changes into a more negative one
Pejoration
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Words losing some of their origional force
Weakening
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Words acquire new meanings as they are used metaphorically
Metaphor
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Meaning may derive from a true meaning
Idioms
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An inoffensive/mild way of describing something unpleasant
Euphemisms
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This has influenced semantic change a lot
PC
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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

Existing words remain in use but meanings change

Back

Semantic Change

Card 3

Front

Creation of new words

Back

Preview of the front of card 3

Card 4

Front

Taking words from other languages

Back

Preview of the front of card 4

Card 5

Front

Adding prefixes or suffixes to existing words to form new ones

Back

Preview of the front of card 5
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