In Chen's S-curve model, which statement is true?

In Chen's S-curve model, which statement is true?

• A. No change is 100% effective
• B. All changes become universal
• C. Change is instantaneous
• D. Change originates in rural areas

Answer: (A)

The main idea is diffusion: language change spreads through a population over time, but it never wipes out all variation. In Chen’s S-curve model, a new feature is adopted gradually, with slow initial uptake, a period of rapid growth, and then a slowdown as it approaches saturation. Because communities, contexts, and individual speakers differ, some people or situations keep the older form despite widespread use. That’s why no change is 100% effective: even when it becomes very common, residual use of the original form often remains. So the statement that aligns with this is that no change is 100% effective. The other options misstate aspects of diffusion: changes don’t happen instantly; they don’t automatically become universal; and the origin isn’t restricted to rural areas.

The main idea is diffusion: language change spreads through a population over time, but it never wipes out all variation. In Chen’s S-curve model, a new feature is adopted gradually, with slow initial uptake, a period of rapid growth, and then a slowdown as it approaches saturation. Because communities, contexts, and individual speakers differ, some people or situations keep the older form despite widespread use. That’s why no change is 100% effective: even when it becomes very common, residual use of the original form often remains.

So the statement that aligns with this is that no change is 100% effective. The other options misstate aspects of diffusion: changes don’t happen instantly; they don’t automatically become universal; and the origin isn’t restricted to rural areas.