Functional shift is a common occurrence in language evolution, where a word takes on a new meaning or usage. Examples include nouns becoming verbs and prepositions becoming subordinating conjunctions. Language is constantly evolving, making it an exciting and fresh discipline.
There is no doubt that language is a living entity that changes over time. An example of how a language changes is functional change. Essentially, functional shift occurs when a word that is already identified and used extensively in one way begins to acquire a second use that is of an entirely different nature in both the spoken and written word. Here are a couple of examples of how a change in syntax can lead to functional shifts that over time become acceptable components in the common grammar of the day.
A fairly common occurrence with the event of a functional shift is that a word that is normally identified as a noun begins to take on usage like a verb, or vice versa. There are numerous examples of this type of functional shift. Commute is just one of many words that today can be used as both a verb and a noun. As a noun, a commute refers to a journey or journey undertaken. As a verb, commuting can refer to the act of making that trip, as well as giving up something, such as commuting a sentence or obligation.
A functional shift can also occur when a preposition normally used in comparisons begins to find use in the form of a subordinating conjunction. The word “like” is a classic example of this kind of metamorphosis. As a preposition, “like” can be used to compare the action of one thing to another. For example, “runs like a horse” helps compare the running habits of a living being with the running ability of another live animal. At the same time, the word “like” can be used to suggest intent. “He seems to mean it” has the same meaning as stating “he seems to mean it”.
One of the fascinating things about linguistics in general is that the science of languages is an ever-evolving discipline. No language has ever remained static for very long. As generations pass, words that once had only one meaning and style of use in the written and spoken word will begin to take on other applications. The occurrence of functional change is the recognition of that evolution and one of the characteristics of a living language that keeps our mainstream media exciting and fresh.
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