A LINGUISTIC ANALYSIS OF THE ROLE OF GRAMMAR IN LANGUAGE CHANGE
Keywords:
Keywords: Grammar, language change, grammaticalization, analogy, language contact, sociolinguistics, linguistic evolution, historical linguistics, cognitive constraints, technological impact.Abstract
Grammar serves as the structural foundation of language, playing a crucial role in both facilitating communication and driving linguistic evolution. This article examines the mechanisms of grammatical change, including grammaticalization, analogy, and the impact of language contact. It also explores factors influencing grammatical transformations, such as sociolinguistic dynamics, cognitive constraints, and technological advancements. By analyzing historical examples like the shift from Old to Modern English and the development of Romance languages from Latin, the study highlights how grammar evolves to meet the changing needs of speakers. Understanding these processes offers valuable insights into the continuous adaptation of language over time.
References
1. Haspelmath, M. On directionality in language change with particular reference to grammaticalization // Studies in Language. 2004. Vol. 28, No. 2. P. 367-409.
2. Hopper, P. J., Traugott, E. C. Grammaticalization. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2003.
3. Labov, W. Principles of Linguistic Change: Internal Factors. Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell, 1994.
4. Thomason, S. G., Kaufman, T. Language Contact, Creolization, and Genetic Linguistics. Berkeley: University of California Press, 1988.