Semantic Change (AQA A-Level English Language): Quizzes
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Practise the questions
10 questions from this quiz
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Practise the questions
10 questions from this quiz
What does semantic change describe?
What does semantic change describe?
How word meanings evolve over time
What type of semantic change did 'knight' undergo from 'servant' to 'person of nobility'?
What type of semantic change did 'knight' undergo from 'servant' to 'person of nobility'?
Amelioration
What was the original meaning of 'villain'?
What was the original meaning of 'villain'?
A farm worker or person who worked land
What is another term for semantic broadening?
What is another term for semantic broadening?
Generalisation
How did the word 'meat' undergo semantic narrowing?
How did the word 'meat' undergo semantic narrowing?
From any kind of food to animal flesh
Why did 'mouse' gain the meaning of a computer input device?
Why did 'mouse' gain the meaning of a computer input device?
Visual similarity in shape
Which factor is described as one of the most powerful drivers of semantic change in modern times?
Which factor is described as one of the most powerful drivers of semantic change in modern times?
Technology
What type of change is 'crown' meaning royal power instead of just the physical object?
What type of change is 'crown' meaning royal power instead of just the physical object?
Metonymic change
What best describes pejoration?
What best describes pejoration?
Connotations become more negative
What happens when speech communities become geographically or socially separated?
What happens when speech communities become geographically or socially separated?
Words may undergo different changes