Thursday, 6 November 2014

The AO1 and 2 language change overview

So when it's comes to anylsing those texts, what do you know you will be looking out for:

AO1

High and low frequency lexis. There is more likely to be more low as that is lexis that is not used a lot in the present and old texts will use more of it that H.F.L. E.g the word "grandiose"

Why? Due to to different Form, Purpose and Audiences of the text. Audience for olders texts are more likely to be aimed at the higher classes, who are educated and literate. So the register will be expected tot be more formal.

Field specific lexis/jargon will also be important for looking at old texts as it will help to relate to the context.

Semantic fields = meaning of words and that will lead onto the idea of semantic shifts = how the meaning of words have changed over time e.g "gay" - happy, homosexual reference and now an insult and how it has become "banta" (uni lad). Also, the universal use of "he" in gender.

Grammar: punctuation and syntax structure - more complex. Why? Audience again.

Power - F.P.A - instrumental and influence of religion 

AO2  

Theory = David Crystal
Influence of external factors - descriptive and prescriptive
Standard and non-standard English 
Political correctness in language 
Standardisation snd dictionaries- Johnson
The printing press and Caxton - mass audience 

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