Diachronic Study Analysis

Diachronic Study Analysis



Diachronic Study Analysis

Introduction

This coursework comprises of diachronic study analysis that has been undertaken to investigate the aspects of language change to modern English between the 19th and the 20th century. This diachronic analytical study will be conducted primarily using two historical documents that have been retrieved or downloaded from the Old Bailey. Lexicology is considered as the Science of the Word and it is one of the renowned study or course that is significantly used by historians, researchers and scholars to track the changes that any particular language of interest has transcended through, thereby characterizing today's language of interest effectively. It is basically identified as a division of linguistics which is considered as the Science of Language (Holmes, 2001). It is not only the world that is constantly evolving, but the language that serves as the means of communication thereby effectively connecting people living across the boundaries and oceans is also constantly changing. English Language is going through the stages of metamorphosis taking newer forms which is particularly evident in the last 1500 years (McMahon, 1994). The change was primarily in response to other languages drawing on the patterns of contacts with them in addition to the continuously evolving communication needs that are depicted by people. However, this element influencing change in English does not remain same across all the parts of the world, rather there are parts of the world and cultures where English is interwoven into the social life (Gorlach, 1999b, pp. 498). This induces unique momentum and vitality within the language making it develop in tandem with the local culture and the language. This creates a language that is increasingly in divergence with British or American English; English that is spoken in North America or Britain. These aspects will be considered in immense detail in this assignment through the use of diachronic study analysis as mentioned above.

Discussion

It is first important to highlight the differences and the positive as well as negative aspects that characterize the diachronic and synchronic studies. It is in the light of this that the credibility of the use and utility of diachronic studies for this analysis and investigation will be established effectively. Time is the foremost factor that defines acutely the difference that exists between Diachronic linguistic studies and synchronic studies (McMahon, 1994). The definition of the word 'Diachronic is predominantly embedded in the word itself; literally, if we analyse it in Greek context. 'Dia' is basically a Greek prefix thereby appear in English as a loanword predominantly, which essentially indicates towards words as 'akin to, through, across, between, of, and by. Whist, the word 'Chronic'; which also appeared in English as loanword from Latin, is derived from the Greek word 'Chronus' which basically means time (Smith, 1996). This provides a succinct definition of Diachronic linguistic studies, establishing it as study of language between, across or through time(s) or any time period. Before Saussure, all the linguistic studies use to be ...