How Languages Change over Time - Creative Word

Languages are constantly in flux. Changes in lexical meaning alter with each generation, even within the same culture or social group, and languages evolve as new words are developed in line with technology or are borrowed from other languages.

Generation by generation, meanings shift, sound structures change and words are lost or gained.

It is believed that after a thousand years, the ‘original’ and ‘new’ languages would be so vastly altered that they would no longer be ‘mutually intelligible’, and that after ten thousand years, their original relationship would be completely indistinguishable.

Even in our modern world, language change can be problematic as we can observe when older generations berate younger ones for their lack of linguistic eloquence and use of slang!

And so, a strange fact emerges – language change is considered disadvantageous, both in terms of the ability to communicate across cultures (with the move away from a shared language) and also, in terms of generational differences.

Nevertheless, it appears to be a universal fact of human evolution and history.

 

How and Why Languages Change

We have already considered a few of the ways in which languages change, for instance, the changes which occur over an extended period of time but there are other processes which affect language.

Below, you’ll find a more in-depth account of why, and how, languages change:

Language and Learning – our native language, or languages, are learned from our parents, friends and family, and are passed on from one generation to the next. We recreate our language in a unique way, as no two life experiences are the same, so the resulting language replication is variable, even between siblings.

Language and Communication – travel, trade, migration and even war, mean that we are exposed to other languages throughout our lifetimes and these affect our use of language. Some people are bi-lingual as children due to living in another country from a young age or having parents from different cultures, while others may learn a second, or third language as an adult. Exposure to other languages and cultures has, over time, altered languages through ‘borrowed’ words, sounds, structure, and so on.

Language and Culturesocial diversity and cultural heritage all link to language formation and change. For instance, words relating to religion, dress, gestures and place help form our language and give a sense of identity. Language adaptions occur as cultures change producing colloquialisms, humour, and dialects which are linked to specific areas or groups of people.

Language and Organic Change – language is primarily expressed through speech so rapid or colloquial speech can organically alter language through processes such as, dissimilation or assimilation. Over time, these subtle changes become the norm, forming part of the ‘new’ language and creating metaphors or metonymy.

 

Language is a gift which we give and receive daily, yet hardly consider. The next time you engage in conversation, take a moment to evaluate the communication and consider any language that was unique. For instance, if it is a chat with a family member, are there special sayings common only between you? Or, if it is with an individual who speaks your language as a second-language, what words might they have misunderstood?

Feel free to share your language experiences with us in the comments section below.