Teoretiese uitgangspunte oor taalverandering: 'n dichotomie

Abstract

In hierdie artikel word die teoretiese uitgangspunte oor taalverandering in twee hoofbenaderingswyses verdeel. Hierdie twee benaderings word onderskeidelik die Niekonteksgevoelige Sisteemgerigte Benadering en die Konteksgevoelige Variasiebenadering genoem. Die hoofaksiomas en teoretiese uitgangspunte van elk van hierdie benaderinge word in hierdie artikel ontleed. Klem word veral gelê op daardie aspekte wat lig gewerp het op die aard van en die kragte agter taalverandering. Die positiewe aspekte, asook daardie aspekte van taalverandering wat geen aandag gekry het nie, word uitgewys. So word daar aangetoon dat die Niekonteksgevoelige Sisteemgerigte Benadering die klem slegs laat val op die sistematiese aard van taalverandering. En, terwyl hierdie sistematiese aard van taal en taalverandering nie ontken kan word nie, is dit dikwels linguistiese heterogeniteit wat die bron is waaruit taalverandering voortkom. Hierdie bron word op sy beurt natuurlik deur sosiale toestande en gebeurlikhede gevoed. Om taalverandering ten voile te begryp, moet dus van sowel die strukturele as die sosiale konteks waarbinne hierdie sisteem funksioneer, rekenskap ge-gee word.

In this article the theoretical premises of language change are divided into two main approaches. These two approaches may be referred to as the Non-Contextual Systems Approach and the Context Orientated Variational Approach. This article identifies the major axioms and theoretical points of departure of each of these approaches. Those aspects of each approach that shed light on the essence of and forces behind language change are pointed out The positive aspects as well as those aspects of language change which are ignored by each approach are indicated. It is shown that the Non-Contextual Systems Approach stresses only the systematic nature of language change. Even though the systematic nature of language and language change cannot be ignored, it is often the case that the source of language change is to be found in linguistic heterogeneity. This force is in turn activated by social events and conditions. To understand language change fully, the structural as well as the social context within which language structure functions, should be accounted for.