Language Change: Towards Modern English (5cr)

Objectives

The students will become familiar with the historical background against which linguistic changes in English can be viewed from the late 16th century to the 19th century. The students will also be introduced to the major developments in the language, and how they can be examined with databases containing authentic historical texts.

Content

The course looks into the major socio-historical developments in the English-speaking world between the late 15th century and mid-19th century, and the ways in which the English language and the attitudes towards it changed. Through introductory mini-lectures and homework reading assignments to be discussed in groups in class, we will examine the major historical events which shaped the British Empire, the rising trends in the writing of English grammars and dictionaries, and the ultimate spread of English around the world. The course work will include weekly assignments including background reading and practical exercises examining the changes in English grammar and vocabulary through a number of electronic databases (e.g. The Oxford English Dictionary and different corpora of British and American English).