What is language change ? Write the causes behind the language change.
Ans: Language change refers to the process by which language develops and undergoes changes over time. This can happen at different levels, including phonetic (sound), phonological (sound pattern), morphological (word formation), syntactic (sentence structure), semantic ( meaning) and vocabulary (vocabulary).
Language change can be influenced by a variety of factors such as social, cultural and historical development, as well as exposure to other languages. This can lead to the creation of new words, changes in pronunciation or grammar, and the loss or alteration of existing linguistic features.
Language change can happen due to many factors, including:
1. Cultural and social changes:
Language is associated with culture and society. Changes in cultural norms, values, and social structures can lead to changes in language usage and the emergence of new words, phrases, and expressions.
2. Contact for other languages:
When different languages come into contact, they often influence each other, leading to language changes. This can happen by borrowing words, phrases, or grammatical structures from one language to another.
3. Technological advancement:
Technological advances can introduce new concepts, objects, and activities that require new words or expressions. For example, the growth of the Internet and social media has led to the creation of many new terms and acronyms.
4. Language acquisition and learning:
Language changes can also be influenced by how children acquire language and how adults learn new languages. As language is learned and passed from generation to generation, it can undergo modifications and simplifications.
5. Evolution:
Language, like all living systems, evolves over time. This can cause changes in pronunciation, grammar, vocabulary, and other language features.