#### 116640A linguist analyzing the evolution of English dialects observes that a certain archaic word frequency decreases by 12% every century. If the word appeared in 80% of spoken texts in the year 1500, in what percentage of texts would it appear in 2025, assuming exponential decay?

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 22:43:41 +0000

# 116640A Linguist Analyzes the Decline of an Archaic English Word—What Does the Data Reveal? In today’s rapidly shifting linguistic landscape, a subtle but telling trend is drawing notice: a once-common word from 16th-century English has been observed decreasing in usage by 12% every century. This decline, measured across more than 500 years, offers insight into how language evolves in response to cultural change and digital communication. The word appeared in 80% of spoken texts in 1500, but where has it landed in 2025? The answer lies in the patterns of exponential decay and modern usage patterns—data that reveals both continuity and transformation in spoken English. ## The Language of Continuity and Change Understanding how words fade from common usage begins with recognizing English’s dynamic nature. Linguists tracking dialectal evolution note that certain archaic terms persist in formal or literary contexts but gradually disappear from everyday conversation. The 12% per century decay rate reflects this natural attrition—think of it as a slow erosion shaped by shifting social norms, changing communication styles, and the influence of dominant media. This kind of decay isn’t sudden; it’s measured year by year, text by text, revealing how deeply embedded language shifts over time.