What is the Great Vowel Shift and why is it important?

The Great Vowel Shift was a major phonological change in English between 1400 and 1700, where all long vowels shifted upward in the mouth (e.g., 'name' went from /naːmə/ to /neɪm/). It explains why English spelling is so irregular—the shift happened after spelling was standardised. Understanding it helps you analyse pronunciation differences in historical texts.

How do I analyse language change in a WJEC exam text?

Start by identifying the text's date and context. Then, systematically examine lexis (archaic words, loanwords), grammar (word order, inflections), orthography (spelling, punctuation), and semantics (changes in word meaning). Use specific examples and link them to external factors like technology or social change. Always conclude by summarising the overall pattern of change.

What is the difference between prescriptivism and descriptivism?

Prescriptivism is the belief that language should follow fixed rules and that change is decay (e.g., 'don't split infinitives'). Descriptivism observes how language is actually used without judgment. In your exam, you should evaluate both perspectives—for example, while some see 'literally' used as 'figuratively' as wrong, descriptivists note it's a common semantic shift.

Why does English have so many French words?

After the Norman Conquest of 1066, French became the language of the ruling class. Over 10,000 French words entered English, especially in law (e.g., 'justice'), government ('parliament'), and food ('beef'). This is a key example of lexical borrowing due to social dominance.

How has technology changed English recently?

Technology has accelerated lexical change through new words (e.g., 'selfie', 'emoji'), abbreviations ('LOL', 'BRB'), and changes in grammar (e.g., dropping punctuation in texts). It also influences orthography (e.g., 'u' for 'you') and pragmatics (e.g., tone in digital communication). These changes are often criticised but reflect natural adaptation.

What is the S-curve model of language change?

The S-curve model describes how new linguistic forms spread slowly at first, then rapidly, then slow again as they become standard. For example, the word 'email' started in tech circles, then spread widely, and is now universal. This model helps explain the diffusion of lexical and grammatical changes.

Language change over time

WJEC

A-Level

The study of language change over time, focusing on unseen written texts from different periods (not earlier than 1500) linked by genre. It covers orthography, etymology, lexical, and grammatical changes in context, requiring analysis of archaic language features and connections across texts.

Objectives

Exam Tips

Pitfalls

Key Terms

Mark Points

Topic Overview

Language change over time is a core component of the WJEC A-Level English Language syllabus, exploring how and why English has evolved from its earliest forms to the present day. This topic covers phonological, lexical, grammatical, and semantic changes, as well as the social, historical, and technological factors driving them. Understanding language change is essential for analysing texts from different periods and for appreciating the dynamic nature of English as a living language.

Studying language change allows you to critically evaluate prescriptivist attitudes (e.g., 'language is decaying') versus descriptivist approaches (e.g., 'change is natural'). You will examine key theories such as the S-curve model of lexical change, the role of euphemism and taboo, and the impact of technology on modern English. This topic also connects to wider issues of identity, power, and globalisation, making it highly relevant for both exams and real-world language awareness.

In the WJEC A-Level, language change is assessed through textual analysis (e.g., comparing a 17th-century text with a modern one) and discursive essays. You must be able to identify specific changes (e.g., loss of inflections, semantic broadening) and explain them using appropriate terminology. Mastery of this topic demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of English as a system, which is crucial for achieving top grades.

Key Concepts

Core ideas you must understand for this topic

→Lexical change: processes such as borrowing (e.g., 'sushi' from Japanese), compounding ('smartphone'), affixation ('unfriend'), blending ('brunch'), and clipping ('exam'). Also, semantic change: broadening ('dog' once meant a specific breed), narrowing ('meat' once meant all food), amelioration ('knight' originally meant servant), and pejoration ('silly' once meant blessed).
→Grammatical change: loss of inflections (e.g., Old English had case endings for nouns), shift from synthetic to analytic structures (e.g., use of prepositions instead of inflections), and changes in word order (e.g., from SOV to SVO). Also, the rise of auxiliary verbs and the decline of the subjunctive mood.
→Phonological change: the Great Vowel Shift (1400-1700) which altered long vowel pronunciations, and changes in consonant clusters (e.g., 'knight' lost the /k/ sound). Also, processes like assimilation and elision in spoken English.
→Orthographic change: standardisation of spelling after the printing press (1476), and later reforms like the loss of the long 's' (ſ) and the introduction of dictionaries (e.g., Johnson's 1755 dictionary).
→External factors: invasions (Viking and Norman), colonialism, technology (internet, texting), and social attitudes (political correctness, gender-neutral language).

What You Need to Demonstrate

Key skills and knowledge for this topic

Application of critical skills in close reading
Description and analysis of key features of language change using accurate terminology
Analysis and evaluation of contextual factors
Exploration of connections between texts
Demonstration of understanding of relevant concepts and issues
Support of points with apt quotation
Effective organization using coherent written expression

Marking Points

Key points examiners look for in your answers

Application of critical skills in close reading
Description and analysis of key features of language change using accurate terminology
Analysis and evaluation of contextual factors
Exploration of connections between texts
Demonstration of understanding of relevant concepts and issues
Support of points with apt quotation
Effective organization using coherent written expression

Examiner Tips

Expert advice for maximising your marks

💡Study a range of written texts from different periods to prepare for unseen analysis
💡Ensure familiarity with key features of language from the Middle English period onwards
💡Focus on how language is evolving to reflect technological and cultural change for the 21st-century section
💡Always use precise terminology: instead of saying 'words changed meaning', say 'semantic broadening' or 'pejoration'. This shows depth of knowledge and earns higher marks.
💡When comparing texts, structure your analysis by language level (lexis, grammar, phonology, orthography) and link changes to external factors (e.g., 'the use of French loanwords reflects Norman influence').
💡Avoid vague statements like 'language has changed a lot'. Instead, give specific examples from the texts, such as 'the use of 'thou' in the 16th-century text contrasts with modern 'you', illustrating the loss of the T-V distinction'.

Common Mistakes

Pitfalls to avoid in your exam answers

Misconception: Language change is always a sign of decline. Correction: Change is natural and inevitable; many changes simplify or enrich the language. For example, the loss of inflections made English more flexible, not 'worse'.
Misconception: The Great Vowel Shift happened overnight. Correction: It was a gradual process spanning over 300 years, affecting different regions at different times. It's not a single event but a series of related changes.
Misconception: Old English is just English with different spellings. Correction: Old English is a different language—it had grammatical gender, complex inflections, and a vocabulary largely Germanic. Without study, it is unintelligible to modern speakers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions students ask about this topic

Before You Start

Prior knowledge that will help with this topic

•Basic understanding of language levels: lexis, semantics, grammar, phonology, orthography, and pragmatics.
•Familiarity with key periods of English: Old English (450-1150), Middle English (1150-1500), Early Modern English (1500-1800), and Late Modern English (1800-present).
•Knowledge of basic linguistic concepts such as inflection, derivation, and word classes.

Likely Command Words

How questions on this topic are typically asked

Explore

Analyse

Evaluate

Ready to test yourself?

Practice questions tailored to this topic

Language change over time

Topic Overview

Key Concepts

What You Need to Demonstrate

Marking Points

Examiner Tips

Common Mistakes

Frequently Asked Questions

Before You Start

Likely Command Words

Ready to test yourself?

Related Topics in WJEC A-Level English Language

Discourse

English in the twenty-first century

Grammar including morphology

Language acquisition

Topic Synopsis

Key Concepts & Core Principles

Exam Tips & Revision Strategies

Examiner Marking Points

Language change over time

Topic Overview

Key Concepts

What You Need to Demonstrate

Marking Points

Examiner Tips

Common Mistakes

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Great Vowel Shift and why is it important?

How do I analyse language change in a WJEC exam text?

What is the difference between prescriptivism and descriptivism?

Why does English have so many French words?

How has technology changed English recently?

What is the S-curve model of language change?

Before You Start

Likely Command Words

Ready to test yourself?

Related Topics in WJEC A-Level English Language

Discourse

English in the twenty-first century

Grammar including morphology

Language acquisition