When a word is overused and its meaning is altered this is called weakening.

When a word acquires a stronger meaning than it had before this is called intensification.

Amelioration is when a word acquires pleasant connotations that it didn’t have before.

Pejoration is when a word acquires negative connotations that it didn’t have before.

A superlative shows the highest or lowest quality of something. e.g 'best' or 'greatest'.

Exploring how a word's meaning can change over time

English

A history of the English language

Reading an Anglo-Saxon Bible extract

Comparing the Lord's Prayer over time

Creating a new word

Planning a persuasive speech about a new word

Writing a persuasive speech about a new word

Delivering a persuasive speech about a new word

In 'A History of Language' students gain an understanding of the way in which English has evolved over time. In 'Perspectives on Gender', students also consider how language has been shaped by historical and social factors.

In 'Sherlock Holmes: Short Stories', students practise argumentative speaking as part of role-playing a court case. In 'A History of Language',  students also argue to justify the addition of their new word to the dictionary.   

In this unit, pupils explore the history of the English Language. They first learn about the development of the English Language, before using a single word and the Lord's Prayer to explore how language changes. They then plan, write and deliver a persuasive speech about a new word.

A history of language

When a word's meaning grows less intense over time this is known as word ....

when a word acquires a more negative meaning

a process when a word acquires a more pleasant meaning

when a word gains a stronger meaning than it had before

Match the key terms to their correct definitions.

The word 'stunning' used to mean 'capable of rendering someone unconscious' but now means something impressive or attractive. This is an example of...

The word 'knight' used to mean a small boy or servant but now refers to a brave warrior known for their honour and nobility. This is an example of...

It has developed into a very positive word to describe an expert or specialist

It has evolved from meaning a 'sideshow freak' to denote an expert in something

It has always been positive but has recently grown even more positive

It has changed from being a positive nickname to a term of offence

Which of the below best explains how the word 'geek' has ameliorated?

Its meaning has changed from well-known to well-known but for negative reasons

Its meaning has stayed consistently negative over the years

Its meaning has changed from well-known to well-known for positive reasons

Its meaning has become much more negative

Which of the below best explains how the word 'notorious' has undergone word pejoration?

In which language was the Lord's Prayer first said?

Order these texts chronologically from the first appearance of the Lord's Prayer to the most recent.

Which of the below is an example of a superlative?

A word that shows the highest or lowest quality of something

A word that sounds like the thing it describes

Which of the below is the definition of superlative?

What is being described here: 'shortened forms of words and phrases that convey the same meaning in fewer words (e.g. ‘Tbc’ instead of ‘To be continued’)?

If something occurs across generations then it can be described as ....

Exploring how a word's meaning can change over time

Lesson outcome