Affiliation:
1. Faculty of Languages , University of Gdańsk , Gdańsk , Poland
Abstract
Abstract
The topic of the “negative end” of change is, unlike the fields of innovation and emergence, largely under-researched. Yet, it has lately started to increasingly gain attention from language scholars worldwide. The main focus of this article is threefold, namely to discuss (i) the terminology, (ii) the concepts, and (iii) the causes associated with the “negative end” of change in grammar. The article begins with an overview of research conducted on the topic. It then moves to situating phenomena referred to as loss, decline or obsolescence among processes of language change before elaborating on the terminology and concepts behind it. The last part of the paper looks at possible causes for constructions to display a gradual or rapid, but very consistent decrease in the frequency of use over time, which continues until the construction disappears or until there are only residual or fossilised forms left.
Subject
Linguistics and Language,Language and Linguistics
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