Explanation
A culturally influential narrative or belief about the origin, essence, purity, or power of a language. It transforms historical and social language processes into meaningful origin images and thereby legitimises belonging or hierarchy.
Example
The story that a language has always remained unchanged and uniquely pure is used to justify political claims.
Counterexample
Merely mentioning “Language myth” without the described function is not a sufficient example.
Distinction
A verifiable language history reconstructs change from evidence; a language myth creates meaning independently of such verification.
Effect on thought and perception
It transforms historical and social language processes into meaningful origin images and thereby legitimises belonging or hierarchy.
Resonance
In the atlas, Language myth closes 1 previously unresolved reference line(s) and opens controlled paths of thought.
Etymology
Technical core term; individual etymological review pending
Provenance
ATLAS 241 residual-case triage → profile candidate 241-C → source and neighbourhood cross-check → ATLAS 244
Cite this entry
Reich, Michael (Hrsg./ed.): „Language myth“. Atlas der Sprache, AT-CORE-244-014. ATLAS 251, data model 1.6.0. https://atlasoflanguage.com/concept/AT-CORE-244-014The address remains stable; editorial content may evolve. A verified modification date per entry is not yet available. Include your access date for precise references.