In class we supposed that speakers don't introduce change, except as they're reproducing things they misinterpreted as listeners. However, it seems likely that speakers do introduce change in higher level aspects of language, especially the lexicon. Actually, it's hard to imagine where changes in the lexicon (either in the introduction of new words, or changes in the frequency of existing words) would come from if not from speakers. What is it about phonological phenomena that make them (perhaps) different from other parts of language, and not something speakers actively change?
I agree with Claire. Speakers should also be able to introduce sound change as well as listeners. While a listener might reproduce something they misheard, a speaker might simply misarticulate something.Change can happen both ways.
In class we supposed that speakers don't introduce change, except as they're reproducing things they misinterpreted as listeners. However, it seems likely that speakers do introduce change in higher level aspects of language, especially the lexicon. Actually, it's hard to imagine where changes in the lexicon (either in the introduction of new words, or changes in the frequency of existing words) would come from if not from speakers. What is it about phonological phenomena that make them (perhaps) different from other parts of language, and not something speakers actively change?
ReplyDeleteI agree with Claire. Speakers should also be able to introduce sound change as well as listeners. While a listener might reproduce something they misheard, a speaker might simply misarticulate something.Change can happen both ways.
ReplyDeleteOne more thing: I can't acess the document. When I acess google docs it says I don't have permission to acess it.
ReplyDelete