First, the development of adjective forms of comparison should be clarified from the old English untill nowadays to explain the shifts of comparative structures in two national standards. The major change in the development of comparative formation across time span is the shift in American English from synthetic to analytic comparatives. The Standard English shows another pattern of development: the change from analytic to synthetic comparatives.
Secondly, the major differences between British and American varieties in the usage of adjective forms should be explained. Focusing on the syllabic structure and frequency of adjectives, it will be shown that American English prefers more analytic comparatives than British English. Additionally, American variety uses fewer comparatives of both synthetic and analytic kind than British variety (Gonzalez-Diaz 2008, Hilpert 2007, Mondorf 2009, Kytö and Romaine 2000). Moreover, the investigation of different text types and complexity of those texts will help to explain the difference in usage of adjective comparison between two national standards.
Finally, the development of American English in relation to British English will be outlined. In most cases, American English develops independently from British English in terms of adjective formation. American variety prefers innovations whereas British variety tends to preserve older features. This supports the idea that American English does not follow the steps of British English in terms of comparative structure change. So, to regard the American variety as an instance of colonial lag should be misleading. A better understanding of these issues will be presented in the following pages.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Development of Comparatives in the History of English
3. Major Differences between British and American English in terms of Comparative Structures
4. Some Explanations toward the Preference of One Comparative Form over the Other in British and American English
5. Colonial Lag and Comparative Structures
6. Conclusion
7. Works Cited
Research Objectives and Core Topics
This paper examines the linguistic divergence between British and American English regarding the formation of adjective comparatives, specifically analyzing the shift between synthetic and analytic structures and the underlying socio-linguistic reasons for these preferences.
- Historical development of synthetic vs. analytic comparative forms.
- Statistical differences in comparative usage between British and American varieties.
- The role of cognitive complexity in influencing comparative structure choices.
- Evaluation of the "Colonial Lag" hypothesis in the context of adjective comparison.
- Impact of informal vs. formal stylistic registers on language innovation.
Excerpt from the Book
1. Introduction
Many researchers address the development of language structure of both major English varieties today- American and British. These two national language varieties have many similarities and divergences on phonological, grammatical and syntactical levels. For example, many differences between British and American English can be observable in terms of adjective comparison. English adjectives tend to form the comparative in two ways: by using synthetic, also called inflectional comparative, with <-er> ending; or by using analytic or so called periphrastic comparative with intensifier more (e.g. more clever) (cf. Kytö and Romaine 1997, 329). The adjective formation strongly differs in British and American English. So, the most important issues on this topic that should be discussed refer to the development of comparative formation in the history of British and American English, and to the differences between two national standards in the usage of comparative forms. Moreover, reasons for that preference should be clarified to explain why speakers prefer one variant over the other. In conclusion, the impact of British English as a mother country on the development of American English as a colonial country should be addressed.
First, the development of adjective forms of comparison should be clarified from the old English untill nowadays to explain the shifts of comparative structures in two national standards. The major change in the development of comparative formation across time span is the shift in American English from synthetic to analytic comparatives. The Standard English shows another pattern of development: the change from analytic to synthetic comparatives.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: This chapter outlines the linguistic similarities and differences between British and American English and sets the research focus on the historical and structural evolution of comparative forms.
2. Development of Comparatives in the History of English: The chapter explores the historical shift from inflectional to periphrastic constructions and examines the conservative nature of American English compared to the Standard English variety.
3. Major Differences between British and American English in terms of Comparative Structures: This section presents empirical data illustrating that American English typically favors analytic comparatives, although usage varies significantly based on adjective type and frequency.
4. Some Explanations toward the Preference of One Comparative Form over the Other in British and American English: The chapter analyzes the impact of cognitive complexity and writing style on the choice between synthetic and analytic forms, suggesting that formal settings often favor synthetic structures.
5. Colonial Lag and Comparative Structures: This chapter discusses the theoretical concept of colonial lag, challenging its broad application by demonstrating that American English often adopts innovations faster than British English.
6. Conclusion: The concluding chapter summarizes the main findings, emphasizing that comparative usage has developed independently in both varieties and is heavily influenced by stylistic and cognitive factors.
7. Works Cited: A bibliography listing the academic sources and research papers consulted for this study.
Keywords
British English, American English, Synthetic Comparatives, Analytic Comparatives, Periphrastic Forms, Colonial Lag, Adjective Formation, Cognitive Complexity, Language Variety, Historical Linguistics, Standard English, Inflectional Morphology, Linguistic Innovation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this research paper?
The paper focuses on the structural differences between British and American English regarding how adjectives are compared, specifically looking at the usage of synthetic (-er) versus analytic (more) forms.
What are the central thematic areas of the study?
The central themes include historical language development, the statistical frequency of comparative forms, the influence of syntax on complexity, and the socio-linguistic theories surrounding colonial language evolution.
What is the core research question addressed by the author?
The author investigates why British and American English differ in their preference for specific comparative structures and to what extent these differences reflect independent developmental paths versus historical colonial influence.
Which scientific methods are employed in this analysis?
The research relies on secondary analysis of existing corpora, specifically examining quantitative data from studies by Kytö, Romaine, Mondorf, and others to compare frequency patterns across different historical and stylistic contexts.
What content is covered in the main body of the work?
The main body details the historical shift of comparative forms, compares empirical data from both varieties, discusses the role of "cognitive complexity," and evaluates the "Colonial Lag" hypothesis.
Which terms best characterize the linguistic findings of this study?
Key terms include synthetic/analytic comparatives, language standardization, cognitive complexity, and independent linguistic development.
How does cognitive complexity influence the choice of a comparative form?
The research suggests that in complex sentence structures, speakers often resort to analytic comparative forms as a simplifying device to reduce the cognitive processing load required by the listener.
Does the paper support the concept of "Colonial Lag"?
Only partially; the author argues that while some features might look like a lag, American English often shows a faster rate of innovation, particularly in adopting analytic comparative forms, thus rejecting a generalized view of colonial lag.
Are there notable differences in how formal and informal styles use comparatives?
Yes, the study concludes that formal styles tend to favor synthetic comparative forms, whereas less formal, more colloquial styles often make greater use of analytic (more) variants.
- Quote paper
- Alina Müller (Author), 2010, Comparative Forms in British and American English, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/182424
