Factors Influencing Language Change

Substrate influence refers to the influence of a language that is no longer spoken on the development of a new language. This can occur when a new language is formed by a group of people who have previously spoken different languages.

Superstrate influence refers to the influence of a language that is spoken by a dominant group on a language spoken by a subordinate group. This can occur when a dominant group conquers or colonizes a region and imposes its language on the conquered or colonized people.

Adstrate influence refers to the influence of a language that is spoken by a neighboring group on a language spoken by another group. This can occur when two groups of people live in close proximity to each other and their languages come into contact.

Language death refers to the process by which a language gradually ceases to be spoken. This can occur for a variety of reasons, such as the death of the speakers of the language, the assimilation of the speakers of the language into another group, or the replacement of the language by another language.

Language revival refers to the process by which a language that was previously moribund or extinct is brought back into use. This can occur for a variety of reasons, such as a desire to preserve the language's cultural heritage, a need for the language in education or government, or a desire to promote the language's use in the media.

Language shift refers to the process by which a group of people gradually shifts from speaking one language to speaking another language. This can occur for a variety of reasons, such as migration, conquest, or economic change.

Language change refers to the process by which a language gradually changes over time. This can occur for a variety of reasons, such as the influence of other languages, the development of new technologies, or changes in the social and cultural context in which the language is used.

All of the above examples are instances of language contact. Language contact occurs when two or more languages come into contact with each other, resulting in mutual influence.

The influence of Basque on Spanish is an example of substrate influence. Substrate influence occurs when a language that is no longer spoken leaves a lasting impact on the development of a new language.

The influence of Norman French on English is an example of superstrate influence. Superstrate influence occurs when a language that is spoken by a dominant group exerts an influence on a language spoken by a subordinate group.

The influence of German on Yiddish is an example of adstrate influence. Adstrate influence occurs when two languages that are spoken in close proximity to each other exert a mutual influence on each other.

The extinction of the Tasmanian language is an example of language death. Language death occurs when a language ceases to be spoken by any living person.

The revival of Hebrew is an example of language revival. Language revival occurs when a language that was previously moribund or extinct is brought back into use.

The shift from speaking Irish to speaking English in Ireland is an example of language shift. Language shift occurs when a group of people gradually shifts from speaking one language to speaking another language.

The development of new words and phrases in a language is an example of language change. Language change occurs when a language gradually changes over time.