scholarly journals Co-opting exaptation in a theory of language change

Author(s):  
Livio Gaeta
Author(s):  
Ni Nyoman Seri Malini ◽  
Luh Putu Laksminy ◽  
Ni Ketut Ngurah Sulibra

This study aims at finding out and analyzing the Balinese language preservation model by Balinese people, especially the young generation in tourism destinations, namely Sanur, Kuta, Ubud, Tanah Lot and Lovina. The research focuses on the following: 1) the patterns of usage of the language, 2) attitude of the younger generation towards Balinese language and 3) system of inheritance of mother tongue on those study sites. Data was obtained through observation and distribution of questionnaires, along with interview and note-taking techniques. Research samples are children and adolescents born in Bali and speak Balinese as their first language, and quota technique is applied to set the number of members for each group, i.e. 25 people. The data was analyzed using the theory of language choice and the theory of language change. The results show that the younger generation have positive attitude towards their native language, i.e. Balinese, and they still use it in all domains, especially within families and neighborhoods. The system of Balinese language inheritance occurred in both formal and informal ways. The formal way is through a medium to reinforce Balinese language as an obligatory lesson taught from elementary to high schools/vocational schools, publishing Regional Legislation implemented in a Decree and reflected in the curriculum. The informal way is through Balinese language revitalization: Balinese language succession to the next generation, Balinese language development by means of conducting research, seminars & congress. The development is aligned with the progress of science and technology, the utilization of Balinese language by using it as an inter-ethnic communication medium in everyday life and cultural activities, as well as the utilization of Balinese language on print media, i.e. Bali Post in columns named Orti Bali and Mediaswari.


2004 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Francina Ladstätter

How is language change effected and how does it proceed? In this article the central concepts of Rudi Keller's much-quoted work "Sprachwandel: von der unsichtbaren Hand in der Sprache" ("On Language Change. The Invisible Hand in Language") are introduced and the main criticism presented. Following this first part, Keller's theory of language change is related to the concrete example of linguistic changes in job advertisements. The main interest here is in the enhancement of job titles ("Gebrauch von aufwertenden Berufs- und Personenbezeichnungen"). 26,000 job advertisements from 1950 to 1999 are analysed in the empirical part. The advertising copies show, for example, a clear increase in the use of "Mitarbeiter" resp. "Mitarbeiterin" ("employee") instead of "kaufm. Angestellte" ("clerk"), "Fabrikarbeiter" ("factory worker"), "Magazingehilfe" ("storeman") or the like. The second part of this article shows how this aspect of language change can be understood through Keller's Invisible-Hand model.


2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 96-120
Author(s):  
Martin Hilpert ◽  
Samuel Bourgeois

Abstract This paper addresses constructional change in a dialogical construction that is illustrated by utterances such as sarcastic much?, which typically serve the purpose of an interactional challenge. Drawing on web-based corpus data, we argue that this construction is currently undergoing a process of change that expands its range of possible uses. Specifically, we observe the emergence of uses with a different intersubjective function, in which the writer does not aim for confrontation but is rather seeking the solidarity and alignment of the addressee. We offer an account of this development in terms of constructional change, and we use this case study to explore how intersubjectification and the dialogic nature of language can be accommodated more thoroughly in a constructional theory of language change.


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