Haugen's Model of Language Shift

Haugen's Model of Language Shift explains how communities change from using one language to another over time. It identifies key factors influencing this shift, such as social, economic, and political circumstances. For instance, when a dominant language becomes associated with opportunities and power, speakers of a minority language may gradually adopt it to improve their social status. This model highlights the complex interplay between individual choices and broader societal changes, illustrating how languages can fade or flourish depending on the context in which they exist.