“CHANGING MEANINGS: THE ROLE OF SOCIETY IN INFLUENCING SEMANTIC SHIFTS IN ENGLISH”
Keywords:
Key words: semantic change, language evolution, societal influence, language shift, cultural impact, technological influence, lexical change, communication, language and society, ai in language.Abstract
This article examines the phenomenon of semantic change in the English language, focusing on the role of social influences in driving shifts in word meanings. By analyzing how movements, digital culture, and technological advancements shape language, the study highlights how English evolves in response to societal shifts. Drawing on works by influential linguists and authors such as Raymond Williams, George Orwell, and David Crystal, the article discusses key examples of words that have taken on new connotations in alignment with modern social values. Through these examples, the article illustrates how social forces not only introduce new vocabulary but also repurpose existing words to meet the expressive needs of each generation. Ultimately, this exploration underscores the adaptability of language as a reflection of cultural change, showing how English remains resilient and relevant in an ever-evolving world.
References
1. Crystal, David. The Cambridge Encyclopedia of the English Language. Cambridge University Press, 1995.
• A comprehensive overview of the English language, including its evolution, with insight into the impact of technology and society on semantics.
2. McCulloch, Gretchen. Because Internet: Understanding the New Rules of Language. Riverhead Books, 2019.
• This book explores how the internet and digital communication shape language evolution, with a focus on contemporary semantics.
3. Mencken, H.L. The American Language. Knopf, 1919.
• Mencken examines the uniqueness of American English, discussing its evolution and adaptation of foreign words and cultural influences.
4. Williams, Raymond. Keywords: A Vocabulary of Culture and Society. Oxford University Press, 1976.
• This seminal work explores the social evolution of key English words, analyzing how meanings shift over time to reflect cultural change.
5. Takhirovich E. R. The semantic evolution of English words within the context of technology and societal influences //Web of Humanities: Journal of Social Science and Humanitarian Research. – 2023. – Т. 1. – №. 9. – С. 1-7.