The following text is about linguistics.
Grammaticalization describes how content words become grammatical markers over time. The English word "going" in "going to" has grammaticalized from expressing physical movement to indicating future tense ("I'm going to leave"). Similarly, "have" in "I have eaten" began as indicating possession but now marks perfect aspect. These changes are unidirectional: grammatical words rarely become content words again. Grammaticalization studies reveal that grammar is not a fixed structure but a living system constantly evolving through regular pathways that recur across unrelated languages.
What does grammaticalization demonstrate about language?
Grammar is a fixed system that never changes
Grammar evolves through predictable patterns across languages
Content words never change their meanings
Only English shows grammaticalization patterns
Correct Answer: B
Choice B is the correct answer. The text states grammaticalization reveals "grammar is not a fixed structure but a living system constantly evolving through regular pathways that recur across unrelated languages."
- Evidence: Living system; regular pathways; recurrence across languages.
- Reasoning: Predictable, cross-linguistic patterns characterize change.
- Conclusion: Evolution through predictable patterns is demonstrated.
Choice A is incorrect because grammar is a "living system constantly evolving." Choice C is incorrect because content words become grammatical markers. Choice D is incorrect because patterns "recur across unrelated languages."