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Component 2: Language Change Over Time
Quick questions on Theories and models of language change: explaining how language changes - Eduqas A-Level English Language
5short Q&A pairs drawn directly from our worked dot-point answer. For full context and worked exam questions, read the parent dot-point page.
What is a model use of the S-curve?Show answer
"The texts can be read as snapshots of an S-curve. An early text shows a new form used by only a few writers (the innovators at the slow foot of the curve), a later text shows it common (the steep middle, where the majority adopt it), and a recent text shows it universal (the slow top, as the last holdouts conform). Framing the spread this way, rather than just noting the form is 'more common later', applies the model to the evidence."
What is a model critique of Aitchison?Show answer
"The prescriptivist objection that texting 'ruins' English rests on the crumbling castle metaphor: the assumption of a once-perfect English now decaying. Aitchison's critique exposes the flaw, there was no perfect past state, English has always changed, and digital abbreviation is rule-governed, not decay. Deploying and critiquing the metaphor shows that the attitude is based on metaphor, not linguistic evidence."
What is q1?Show answer
What does the S-curve model describe? [2 marks]
What is q2?Show answer
Name Aitchison's three metaphors for attitudes to change and what each implies. [3 marks]
What is q3?Show answer
Discuss, with reference to texts and relevant theories, how and why language change happens and spreads. [16 marks]
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