The historical roots of the apparent time method
Abstract
The apparent time method is a sociolinguistic tool for studying language change in progress. The chapter examines two underlying assumptions of the method: the assumption that generational differences in speech reflect ongoing language change, and the assumption that idiolects remain stable in adulthood. It is argued in the study that, first, the sociolinguistic study of change in progress can be seen as an evolution of the study of linguistic change, and second, that the assumption of idiolect stability in adulthood can be traced back to generativism and the hypothesis of the critical period of language acquisition.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Linguistic Variation and Morphology
Historical Linguistics and Language Studies
Linguistic and Sociocultural Studies
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Routledge eBooks
- Pages
- 250–268
- Publication date
- 15 January 2026
- Language
- EN
- Document type
- Book chapter