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← Language & CommunicationIf a frequently used content word gradually takes on a grammatical function within a language, which consequence follows?
A)Phonetic erosion is effectively reversed
B)Semantic bleaching and grammaticalization occur✓
C)Lexical borrowing rates exponentially decrease
D)Syntactic complexity undergoes rapid reduction
💡 Explanation
Semantic bleaching and grammaticalization occur because the content word loses its original meaning and evolves into a grammatical marker. Therefore, the word shifts function, rather than retaining its lexical weight; thus, phonetic erosion is not reversed.
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