History of English Language

  Semantics Language is a living, growing thing. Changes are natural and inevitable in all the areas of language- vocabulary, pronunciation, spelling and syntax. Changes are noticed even in the meanings of words though they are supposed to be stable. For example, the word ‘silly’ which has a good meaning in Old English, the equivalent of ‘foolish’, or ‘stupid’. The change of signification is a universal feature of languages. Sometimes the primary sense remains along with other meanings the word has acquired; sometimes it is elbowed out by the fresh meanings, at times we even come across a complete reversal of meaning. Eg: grocer, fast etc. What are the factors that contribute sematic changes? Association of ideas, shifting of emphasis, influence of other languages, social mores, psychological causes, metaphorical application, misunderstanding, euphemistic usage etc. are some of the important causes. For example, the word ‘ deer’ from Old English deȱr meant animal. But when words l