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It concludes that language is neither progressing nor decaying, but that an understanding of the factors surrounding change is essential for anyone concerned about language alteration. For this substantially revised third edition, Jean Aitchison has included two new chapters on change of meaning and grammaticalization. English Language A2 Language Change. 23 September 2019. Featured educator: John Wolfe; 30 August 2019. Ace your school projects with these 12 featured Prezi presentations and templates. ‘Jean Aitchison's Language Change: Progress or Decay? Has been essential introductory reading for students of historical linguistics for many years: it manages the rare trick of combining theoretical sophistication and clear, simple (but not simplistic) expression. Jean Aitchison. Jean Aitchison is a Professor of Language and Communication at Oxford. In 1987 she identified three stages of child language acqusition - labeling, packaging and network building. She believes humans 'mop up words like sponges'. Making connections between words, understanding similarities and opposites in meaning. Feb 13, 2014 Other Language change theories that try to explain why. Random fluctuation theory was supported by 2 linguists. Paul Postal said that language is as unpredictable as fashion and therefore changes in language are totally random. Charles Hockett proposed a different angle, that random „mistakes‟ lead to language changing.
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(Cambridge Approaches to Linguistics)
This book gives a lucid and up-to-date overview of language change, discussing where our evidence about language change comes from, how and why changes happen, and how languages begin and end. It considers both changes that occurred long ago, and those currently in progress. This substantially revised third edition includes two new chapters on change of meaning and grammat..more
Published December 11th 2000 by Cambridge University Press (first published November 30th 1980)
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While it's title might make the book seem a collection of papers taking sides in a debate, Language Change: Progress or Decay is a textbook written by Jean Aitchison introducing contemporary study of language change to beginning students of linguistics. The book has proven quite popular for its gentle tone and its clear summarization of important work in the field, and has now gone through several editions.
I read this as a graduate student of historical linguistics, and I had several years of ex..more
I read this as a graduate student of historical linguistics, and I had several years of ex..more
Apr 10, 2019Kyo rated it liked it · review of another edition
A pretty good introduction to (English) diachronic linguistics. At times a bit vague and a bit too reliant on rather vague metaphors, which often make little sense. For instance she likens language change to a car crash, 'because in both cases there is not just one reason for the event'. Or when she describes linked changes to 'star-crossed' lovers who follow each other or perhaps 'a better metaphor' would be a private detective shadowing their target.. They are not absolutely non-sensical, but..more
A very nice introduction to the subject of language change, as the title indicates. Consequently, the other focus area of historical linguistics, namely linguistic reconstruction, is only briefly touched upon. The only weakness in my view is the chapter on language death. It has a very emotional tone to it. I understand the sentiment, but it is in stark contrast to the scholarly tone of the rest of the book.
Jan 01, 2018Emma Lindhagen rated it really liked it · review of another edition
An actually pocket sized linguistics textbook? Amazing!
I quite enjoyed this book. It's fairly theory-light but still gets the broad points across well while drawing on a range of easily comprehensible examples.
I quite enjoyed this book. It's fairly theory-light but still gets the broad points across well while drawing on a range of easily comprehensible examples.
Ended up just skimming the rest because I got so bored. Repeats herself repeatedly (haha). Quite a good introduction to language change though, may read it properly some day.
Mar 25, 2019Anna rated it liked it · review of another edition
This is just fine. It is really very clear and mostly quite compact, but it could do with a few less examples and tended to get a little boring at times.
Recommended by a WEA linguistics tutor, it was a page-turner in parts and, in parts, a little more demanding than my level of interest and concentration required. I will shelve and dip into again.
Apr 03, 2016Roberta rated it really liked it · review of another edition
As always, Jean Aitchison's description of language is succinct, full of examples, and entertaining. She covers all bases in an organised manner that is easy to read for specialists and non-specialists alike. However, after having read her 'Seeds of Speech' I found some serious overlapping which was a bit of a disappointment - there were 1 or 2 examples that seemed to be verbatim, which is unneeded repetition considering world languages are chock-full of examples for each and every situation one..more
Jan 06, 2012Ruby rated it liked it
Aitchinson presents her subject in a clear manner that is easy to follow and pleasant to read. However, her insane metaphors and comparisons did threw me off course regularly and they made it hard, sometimes, to take her serious.
May 17, 2013Sowmya rated it really liked it
Good introduction to the the topic of language change!
I would have of course loved to read more on the topics in the final part, esp. that of language death, both murder and suicide. But, the books is very well written nevertheless.
I would have of course loved to read more on the topics in the final part, esp. that of language death, both murder and suicide. But, the books is very well written nevertheless.
A highly accessible, well-organized overview of language change processes. An enjoyable read!
the most fun textbook i've ever read
Jun 16, 2012Aline rated it really liked it
As far as text books go, this one is definitely a winner!
Feb 19, 2008Raphael Paulian rated it really liked it
extremely well documented, insightful. chapter 13 'chain reaction changes' was news to me : I had never heard about it before. her chapters about creoles run a tad long though.
Jun 07, 2008Jennifer Deegan rated it really liked it
Very accessible and fascinating linguistic text.
linguistics
Aug 13, 2010Crystal rated it really liked it
Required reading for my college Introduction to Linguistics course. Clear, fluid writing.
Beatriz López rated it really liked it
Nov 29, 2017
Nov 29, 2017
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Feb 08, 2016
Feb 08, 2016
Jean Aitchison Theory Of Language Theory
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Jean Aitchison Theory Of Languages
Jean Aitchison is a Professor of Language and Communication in the Faculty of English Language and Literature at the University of Oxford and a Fellow of Worcester College, Oxford.
Her main areas of interest include:
Socio-historical linguistics
Language and mind
Language and the media
Her main areas of interest include:
Socio-historical linguistics
Language and mind
Language and the media
Cambridge Approaches to Linguistics(9 books)
What Is Theory Of Language
“Language change is not a disease, any more than adolescence, or autumn are illnesses.” — 8 likes
Jean Aitchison Theory Of Language Theory
“It's hard to see what the problem is. Language speakers and writers have always been inventive, and texting is just one further example of human creativity. As David Crystal has expressed it: 'it.is the latest manifestation of the human ability to be linguistically creative.. In texting, we are seeing, in a small way, language in evolution..” — 2 likes