Jean Aitchison – Potential, Diffusion, Implementation & Codification Model
1. Potential –
o Change starts when there’s an internal weakness in language (e.g.,
irregular verbs being hard to learn) or external pressure (e.g.,
technology, media, prestige dialects).
o Example: The rise of singular they to fill the gap of a gender-neutral
pronoun.
2. Diffusion –
o Change spreads gradually through a population. Often starts with one
group (innovators) before being adopted by others.
o Example: “Selfie” spreading from youth/social media into mainstream
English.
3. Implementation –
o People begin incorporating the change into their idiolects (personal
language).
o The variant might start as slang/local usage, then become more
standard.
o Example: Innit used in Multicultural London English, spreading into
wider UK youth speech.
4. Codification –
o The change is formalised in dictionaries/grammars, making it officially
recognised.
o Example: “Google” as a verb, eventually codified in the OED.
Chen (1968, 1972) – The S-Curve Model
Language change follows an S-shaped curve:
1. Slow at first – small group of users adopt it.
2. Rapid growth – more people pick it up (social networks, media
influence).
3. Levelling off – the majority adopts it, leaving a resistant minority.
Example: Uptake of “literally” as an intensifier (I was literally dying).
1. Potential –
o Change starts when there’s an internal weakness in language (e.g.,
irregular verbs being hard to learn) or external pressure (e.g.,
technology, media, prestige dialects).
o Example: The rise of singular they to fill the gap of a gender-neutral
pronoun.
2. Diffusion –
o Change spreads gradually through a population. Often starts with one
group (innovators) before being adopted by others.
o Example: “Selfie” spreading from youth/social media into mainstream
English.
3. Implementation –
o People begin incorporating the change into their idiolects (personal
language).
o The variant might start as slang/local usage, then become more
standard.
o Example: Innit used in Multicultural London English, spreading into
wider UK youth speech.
4. Codification –
o The change is formalised in dictionaries/grammars, making it officially
recognised.
o Example: “Google” as a verb, eventually codified in the OED.
Chen (1968, 1972) – The S-Curve Model
Language change follows an S-shaped curve:
1. Slow at first – small group of users adopt it.
2. Rapid growth – more people pick it up (social networks, media
influence).
3. Levelling off – the majority adopts it, leaving a resistant minority.
Example: Uptake of “literally” as an intensifier (I was literally dying).
