Phrasebook

Language change

The world in which we live changes every day. As a result, our language can never stagnate. It continues to develop with us and is therefore dynamic. This change can affect all areas of a language. That is to say, it can apply to various aspects. Phonological change affects the sound system of a language. With semantic change, the meaning of words change. Lexical change involves changes to vocabulary. Grammatical change alters grammatical structures. The reasons for linguistic change are varied. Often economic reasons exist. Speakers or writers want to save time or effort. Such being the case, they simplify their speech. Innovations can also promote language change. That is the case, for instance, when new things are invented. These things need names, so new words emerge. Language change is typically not planned. It is a natural process and often happens automatically. But speakers can also vary their language quite consciously. They do so when they want to achieve a certain effect. The influence of foreign languages also promotes language change. This becomes particularly obvious in times of globalization. The English language influences other languages more than any other. You can find English words in almost every language. They are called Anglicisms. Language change has been criticized or feared since ancient times. At the same time, language change is a positive sign. Because it proves: Our language is alive – just like us!