Yuxiang Wang

School of English Studies Xi'an International Studies University

Abstract：

This study investigates the evolution of the term “gentrification” from its inception in the 1960s to its contemporary usage. It utilizes corpus-based methods to analyze frequency, meaning, and connotation changes across various contexts. Initially coined by Ruth Glass to describe the displacement of working-class residents by wealthier newcomers in London, “gentrification” has since become a complex and multifaceted concept, reflecting broader socio-economic, cultural, and political transformations in urban environments.

Key Words：

gentrification; corpus linguistic; sociolinguistics