Language Change Terminology

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Lexis

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All of the words within a language.

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Archaisms

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A word which is no longer in everyday use, or has lost a particular meaning in current usage.

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Borrowing

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Introducing specific words or forms of words from one language into another.

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Coinage

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The creation of new words.

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Lemma

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In linguistics, the dictionary form of a group of words.

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Neology

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The process through which new words are formed.

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Graphology

Back

The writing system of a language, as well as other visual features.

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Apostrophes of elision

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A feature of Middle English where the 'e' in an 'ed' suffix is replaced with an apostrophe, e.g., 'dismayed' becomes 'dismay'd'.

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Capitalisation

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The inconsistent capitalisation of nouns, a remnant of Germanic origins.

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Diacritics

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A symbol attached to a letter that indicates a difference in pronunciation.