5 - Culture As Motivator of Change

Summary

Chapter 5 looks at individual cases of cultural motivation of change in formulaic language. First, the functional paradigm of motivation and the methodology used to identify change are discussed. Nine detailed case studies of cultural motivation of linguistic change in action follow. These examples make a strong case for a very close link between linguistic change and changes in the culture of the speech community. Two issues raised by some of the case studies are also addressed. The first concerns the difference between merely topical fluctuations reflected in language and actual linguistic change – conclusions here show that while there is no clear dividing line, the shape of frequency developments and the type of linguistic item involved can make an intersubjective determination possible. The second concerns the issue of whether the development of MWEs explained by the behaviour of key lexical items they contain. It is shown that this is not generally the case. The case studies show that striking insights into prevailing attitudes and circumstances among the speech community are possible through the study of linguistic data.