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Economics and English: Language Growth in Economic Perspective

Author

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  • Michael Reksulak
  • William F. Shughart
  • Robert D. Tollison

Abstract

This article examines systematically the growth of the English language from the year 252 cc through 1985. Using a data set collected from the CD‐ROM version of the second edition of the Oxford English Dictionary, we characterize the time series of new words added to the language, by year, calculate rates of growth and obsolescence, and disaggregate the data by parts of speech. Economic models of language growth over a modern period (1830‐1969) are then estimated. We report evidence that language is a “network” good (the number of new English words is negatively related to population and to gross national product), that additions to the language are retarded by government growth, that the stock of words in use is strongly influenced by foreign trade, and that causality runs from economics to neology but not the reverse. Some suggestive evidence on the relative “efficiency” of English also is presented.

Suggested Citation

  • Michael Reksulak & William F. Shughart & Robert D. Tollison, 2004. "Economics and English: Language Growth in Economic Perspective," Southern Economic Journal, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 71(2), pages 232-259, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:soecon:v:71:y:2004:i:2:p:232-259
    DOI: 10.1002/j.2325-8012.2004.tb00638.x
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    3. Bernat Mallén, 2023. "“How Have Video-on-Demand Platforms Shaped Our Preferences? Endogenous Preferences in a Cultural Market”," AQR Working Papers 202308, University of Barcelona, Regional Quantitative Analysis Group, revised Nov 2023.

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