Tree Model and Wave Model

The Tree Model and Wave Model of Language Change

By: Olivia Leon

The Tree Model is a model that shows where the language changes and what evolves from each language. It also shows the relationships between languages.

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The Tree Model

The Wave Model shows how language moves and spreads.

Also called the Wave Theory.

The Wave Model

Multiple Choice

Which model shows how language moves and spreads around?

• Tree Model

• Wave Model

Multiple Choice

What model is this?

• Tree Model

• Wave Model

Where did these models come from?

​The Tree model

The Tree Model was created by in 1853 by a German Linguist named August Schleicher.

​The wave model

The Wave Model was created by Malcolm Ross and his team between 2002-2007.

Multiple Choice

True or False: The Tree Model was created before the Wave Model.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

Who created the Tree Model?

• Malcolm Ross

• August Schleicher

• It was developed by many different linguists.

Multiple Choice

When was the Wave Model developed?

• Between 1980-1992

• Between 1970-1976

• Between 2002-2007

• Between 2010-2017

Multiple Choice

Using what you already know about the two language change models, this picture is an example of which model?

• The Wave Model

• The Tree Model

Multiple Choice

If you wanted to show where a certain language originated from and what languages were similar to it, what model would you use?

• Wave Mode

Multiple Choice

Analyze the tree model and determine which of the following languages is on this Germanic tree.

• Spanish

• English

• French