Jean Aitchison

• Who is Jean Aitchison?

  A linguist known for her descriptive perspective on language change
• What is Aitchison's perspective on language change?

  She views language change as natural, inevitable, and necessary
• What does Aitchison challenge regarding public attitudes toward language change?

  She challenges prescriptive attitudes that see change as corruption or decline
• What are the three metaphors Aitchison uses to describe public attitudes toward language change?

  1. Damp Spoon Syndrome
  2. Crumbling Castle View
  3. Infectious Disease Assumption
• What is the belief associated with the Damp Spoon Syndrome?

  Change is caused by laziness
• What is Aitchison's criticism of the Damp Spoon Syndrome?

  Language change reflects efficiency, not laziness
• What does the Crumbling Castle View suggest about language?

  It suggests that language was once perfect and is now deteriorating
• What is Aitchison's criticism of the Crumbling Castle View?

  No "golden age" of language ever existed; it is always evolving
• What does the Infectious Disease Assumption imply about language change?

  It implies that change spreads like a harmful virus
• What is Aitchison's criticism of the Infectious Disease Assumption?

  People adopt changes voluntarily, often for social reasons
• What are some examples of language change according to Aitchison?

  • Sound changes: Simplification (e.g., “handbag” → “hanbag”)
  • Semantic changes: New meanings (e.g., "sick" meaning "great")
  • Grammatical changes: Simplification (e.g., "who" replacing "whom")
• What is a key takeaway from Aitchison's work on language change?

  Language change is adaptive and functional
• Why are Aitchison’s metaphors important in sociolinguistics?

  They are essential for understanding public attitudes toward language change
• How can Aitchison's work be useful in analyzing language views?

  It helps analyze the conflict between prescriptive and descriptive views