Past

Socio-Linguistics: Language Change

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This class has passed

What’s it all about?

We all speak differently. Where you grew up, who you spend time with, and your age all play a part. Most of us can distinguish the words that we use, compared to those of our children, parents, grandparents and distant ancestors.

But why is our language constantly changing, and what causes that shift?

Word meanings change as our beliefs and needs as a society change. Through discussions and demonstrations we will come to understand how we develop and change words. Sometimes in hilarious, and sometimes in very revealing ways.

What we will cover?

In this workshop we are going to learn how aspects of language change over time.

We will investigate the creative ways that we use our words, the links between words and how a new word is created.

Who will be teaching?

Dana Kabaila is a paediatric speech pathologist who works in the south of Melbourne. As the daughter of two teachers she has always been keen to share her knowledge. Dana studied linguistics at university and she found it highly entertaining. Since then she has tried to find sneaky ways to squeeze it into everyday conversations.