Causes of Language Change

Abstract

The presented study addresses one of the fundamental issues in linguistics — language change, its causes, and the theoretical models proposed by various scholars. The paper discusses both internal structural factors and external sociocultural and economic factors that influence language transformation or its complete replacement.

The study notes that language change is a long-term and hardly noticeable process. It also emphasizes that the primary condition for language shift and development is social bilingualism, which manifests itself in the process of intergenerational transmission.

The paper concludes that, despite the existence of numerous theoretical models, it is impossible to determine in advance exactly which combination of factors will cause language change or preservation. However, in most cases, the decisive role is played by the sociopolitical and economic environment.