language change essay a level

Studying Language Change

The analysis of language change involves understanding the ways in which language norms and use evolve over time.

External influences such as social, political and cultural shifts often play a significant role in directing language change.

Internal factors are endemic to the language itself, such as grammatical simplification, where complex forms become more simple over time (e.g., fewer cases in English), and analogy, where irregular forms become regular.

Semantic shifts or changes in meaning of words over time are also a significant aspect of language change. For instance, decades ago, ‘mouse’ would only refer to the animal, whereas now it also signifies a computer accessory.

New words are often formed through processes such as derivation (adding an affix to a word, e.g., ‘happily’ from ‘happy’), compounding (combining two words e.g., ‘firefly’), and borrowing (taking a word from another language, like ‘kindergarten’ from German).

Dialect levelling describes the process where regional differences in language use become less distinct over time due to increasing interaction and mobility.

Language attitudes and prescriptivism vs. descriptivism play an essential role in language change discussions. Some people (prescriptivists) believe language use should adhere strictly to established norms and rules, while others (descriptivists) uphold that the evolutionary nature of language is normal and should be described as it occurs naturally.

The role of technology and media in language change cannot be undermined. Factors such as texting, online lingo, advertising language, radio, TV, and even literature can significantly influence how language is used and perceived.

The study of language change often involves the analysis of text samples from various time periods to observe language modifications.

Linguistic variables are an important element of the study, encompassing factors such as the speaker’s gender, age, class, ethnicity, and the context in which the language is used. These variables can affect both language use and language change.

The concept of language change over time also extends to phonological changes, such as shifts in sounds and speech patterns. Examples include the Great Vowel Shift in English during the late Middle English period.

Lastly, recognising and understanding theories related to language change like ‘wave theory’ and ‘the gravity model’ is fundamental. For instance, wave theory suggests language changes spread like ripples in water, whereas the gravity model proposes that bigger cities have more influence on linguistic changes as they ‘pull’ stronger.

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AS and A-level English Language

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Centre declaration sheet 2025

Published 10 Nov 2023 | PDF | 74 KB

Published 10 Nov 2023 | DOC | 520 KB

Candidate record form (A-level): Component 3 NEA Language in action 2025

Published 10 Nov 2023 | PDF | 92 KB

Published 10 Nov 2023 | DOCX | 401 KB

Notes and guidance: NEA

Published 20 Sep 2023 | PDF | 183 KB

Insert (AS): Paper 1 Language and the individual - June 2022

Published 14 Jul 2023 | PDF | 3.3 MB

Question paper (AS): Paper 1 Language and the individual - June 2022

Published 14 Jul 2023 | PDF | 225 KB

Insert (A-level): Paper 1 Language, the individual and society - June 2022

Published 14 Jul 2023 | PDF | 2 MB

Question paper (AS): Paper 2 Language varieties - June 2022

Published 14 Jul 2023 | PDF | 2.4 MB

Question paper (A-level): Paper 2 Language diversity and change - June 2022

Published 14 Jul 2023 | PDF | 234 KB

Insert (A-level): Paper 2 Language diversity and change - June 2022

Published 14 Jul 2023 | PDF | 174 KB

Question paper (Modified A4 18pt) (AS): Paper 1 Language and the individual - June 2022

Published 14 Jul 2023 | PDF | 106 KB

Insert (Modified A4 18pt) (A-level): Paper 2 Language diversity and change - June 2022

Published 14 Jul 2023 | PDF | 145 KB

Question paper (Modified A4 18pt) (A-level): Paper 2 Language diversity and change - June 2022

Published 14 Jul 2023 | PDF | 150 KB

Question paper (Modified A3 36pt) (A-level): Paper 2 Language diversity and change - June 2022

Published 14 Jul 2023 | PDF | 159 KB

Insert (Modified A3 36pt) (A-level): Paper 2 Language diversity and change - June 2022

Published 14 Jul 2023 | PDF | 132 KB

Question paper (A-level): Paper 1 Language, the individual and society - June 2022

Published 14 Jul 2023 | PDF | 1.3 MB

Insert (Modified A4 18pt) (AS): Paper 1 Language and the individual - June 2022

Published 14 Jul 2023 | PDF | 1.2 MB

Insert (Modified A4 18pt) (A-level): Paper 1 Language, the individual and society - June 2022

Published 14 Jul 2023 | PDF | 1.7 MB

Insert (Modified A3 36pt) (A-level): Paper 1 Language, the individual and society - June 2022

Published 14 Jul 2023 | PDF | 2.2 MB

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A Level English Language Essay Response - Language Change

Subject: English

Age range: 16+

Resource type: Assessment and revision

Last updated

10 July 2022

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English Language A-Level Past Papers

This section includes recent A-Level English Language past papers from AQA, Edexcel, OCR , WJEC and CIE. If you are not sure which exam board you are studying ask your teacher. Past papers are a fantastic way to prepare for an exam as you can practise the questions in your own time. You can download each of the exam board's papers by clicking the links below.

• AQA A-Level English Language Past Papers
• CIE A-Level English Language Past Papers
• Edexcel A-Level English Language Past Papers
• Eduqas A-Level English Language Past Papers
• OCR A-Level English Language Past Papers
• WJEC A-Level English Language Past Papers

Programmes & Qualifications

Cambridge international as & a level english language (9093).

• Syllabus overview

Cambridge International AS and A Level English Language provides learners with the opportunity to study English language and its use in communication. Learners will be encouraged to respond critically to a wide variety of texts in a range of forms, styles and contexts, and to promote skills of communication, reading, research and analysis.

Through their study, learners will develop an ability to read and analyse material, gaining further knowledge and understanding of English language features and issues. Learners will also develop the skills of writing clearly, accurately, creatively and effectively for different purposes and audiences.

Changes have been made to this syllabus for first examination in 2021 onwards. Please see the 2021-2023 syllabus for detailed information.

The syllabus year refers to the year in which the examination will be taken.

• -->2021 - 2023 Syllabus update (PDF, 163KB)
• -->2024 - 2026 Syllabus update (PDF, 136KB)

Syllabus support

• -->Support for English Language (PDF, 1MB)

Syllabus updates

We worked with teachers, subject expert panels and universities around the world to update our Cambridge International AS & A Level English subject group as part of our on-going review process. We have made some changes to the syllabus for examination in 2021, 2022 and 2023.

Many teachers told us that they offer more than one English subject from this group, so we have made some changes so that the syllabuses work together regardless of whether a student is studying one or more subject from this group. To make it clearer for teachers, we have separated this syllabus from our other English Cambridge International AS & A Levels.

How has the syllabus changed?

• We have included a specific subject content section that sets out what students should study across the Cambridge International AS & A Level.
• After feedback from teachers, new content has been added within Paper 3 that focuses on the analysis and intrepretation of language data.
• We have increased the number of assessment objectives from three to five and have updated the wording so the expectations of each assessment objective is clearer.
• The levels of response mark schemes have changed based on feedback from schools to make sure we maintain valid and reliable assessments.
• Text and context
• Meaning and style
• We have added a list of command words and their meanings to help learners know what’s expected of them in the exam.

How has assessment changed?

• Changes to the papers have been made to update and retain the strengths of the current model. We are keeping the assessment model for English Language as a four component, exam only model.
• The A Level Paper 3 will have stimulus texts that will be accompanied by some quantitative language data, in graph and table form. This change is based on feedback from teachers who feel the skill of data analysis would be valuable for students and engage their interest.
• Language acquisition has been moved to Paper 3 from Paper 4 as this topic represents language analysis more than a language topic.
• English in the World - a new title for the current English as a global language
• Language and the self - a new topic that concentrates on the relationships between language and thought, and language and social identity. This change was made after consultation with centres, who felt the current topics in Paper 4 were not discrete enough.

When do these changes take place?

The updated syllabus will be assessed in June and November 2021, 2022 and 2023. It is also available in March 2021, 2022 and 2023 (India only). Please see the 2021-2023 syllabus above for full details.

Coming soon

We are developing a wide range of support to help you plan and teach the 2021-2023 syllabus. Visit our School Support Hub from April 2019 onwards.

Look out for our comprehensive support package to help you deliver the 2021-2023 syllabus including a Scheme of work, Example candidate responses and Specimen paper answers. There will also be Teacher and Learner guides from April 2019 onwards through our School Support Hub .

Endorsed resources

View the latest resources that are being developed for the Cambridge International AS & A Level English Language syllabus (9093).

Helps students gain an understanding of how language works for different audiences and purposes. Improve reading skills through analysis of different text types – from blogs to letters – and create imaginative, discursive and critical writing.

Read more on the Cambridge University Press website

Build skills and knowledge in a clear sequence and help students to apply skills to a range of language tasks, with up-to-date coverage of the syllabus topics and a stimulating range of international texts.

Read more on the Collins website

Important notices

Find out more about our range of English syllabuses to suit every level and ambition.

For some subjects, we publish grade descriptions to help understand the level of performance candidates’ grades represent.

We paused the publication of grade descriptions in response to the Covid-19 pandemic and the temporary changes to the awarding standard in 2020, 2021 and 2022.

As the awarding standard has now returned to the pre-pandemic standard, we are working to produce up-to-date grade descriptions for most of our general qualifications. These will be based on the awarding standards in place from June 2023 onwards.

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