Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
diachrony
Noun
/ˌdaɪ.əˈkrɒ.ni/
Definition
The study of changes in language or culture over time, examining how elements evolve and differ through various historical periods.
Examples
- The diachrony of English shows significant changes from Old English to Modern English.
- Linguists often analyze diachrony to understand how words and meanings transform over centuries.
- By studying diachrony, researchers can trace the evolution of dialects and languages.
Meaning
It refers to the temporal aspect of linguistic change, contrasting with synchrony which looks at a language at a specific point in time.
Synonyms
- Historical linguistics
- Evolution of language
- Language change
