Both British English and American English are interesting topics to look at but to look at them in a contrastive way is even more interesting because here you have to take the history of both varieties into consideration to see where the differences lie and why they became two distinctive varieties. Now you have to keep in mind that America was settled by British people but yet Americans now do not speak British English and then voted for their own way of speaking and pronouncing English. But how did that come? It was simply impossible not to have a different variety of English in America since English was exposed to different external factors such as other existing languages and a new environment compared to English in England and Great Britain. Hence with the Declaration of Independence in 1776 as a political separation from the mother country a linguistic separation needed to follow to finally divorce the USA from England which was important for the Americans because they wanted to have their own national identity.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- I. The Colonial Period
- A. English in England and in the Colonies
- 1. English in the Mother Country (England)
- 2. Settlement in the Thirteen Colonies
- B. English in America
- 3. Exposure to New Geography and Environment
- A. English in England and in the Colonies
- II. American Revolution
- A. The Way to American English
- 1. The Elite and the Debate
- 2. Noah Webster's Influence
- B. Establishing American English
- 1. Linguistic Controversy
- 2. American English as Standard English?
- A. The Way to American English
- III. English in the 19th Century
- 1. Immigrant Languages in the 19th Century
- A. Developments in the Second Half of the 19th Century
- 1. Vocabulary
- 2. Grammar and Pronunciation
- B. Dictionaries and Spelling Books for AmE and BrE
Objectives and Key Themes
This work aims to explore the historical development of American English, contrasting it with British English and examining the factors that led to their divergence. It investigates how the language evolved in the context of colonial settlement, the American Revolution, and subsequent immigration.
- The impact of colonial settlement on the development of American English.
- The role of the American Revolution in solidifying linguistic differences.
- The influence of immigration on the evolution of American English vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation.
- The development of distinct standards in American and British English.
- The interplay between social factors and linguistic change.
Chapter Summaries
Introduction: This introduction sets the stage by highlighting the inherent interest in comparing British and American English, emphasizing the importance of historical context in understanding their differences. It posits that the emergence of American English wasn't a deliberate act but a natural consequence of exposure to new environmental and linguistic factors, ultimately culminating in a linguistic separation mirroring the political independence of the United States.
I. The Colonial Period: This chapter examines the linguistic landscape before and during the colonial period. It explores the English spoken in 17th-century England, acknowledging its inherent regional variations and the lack of homogeneity. The chapter then focuses on the settlement of the thirteen colonies, detailing the diverse backgrounds of the settlers and how their varied dialects interacted to create a new, evolving form of English. It discusses how this new variety retained certain archaic features not present in contemporary British English, demonstrating a colonial lag in linguistic development. The chapter also touches upon the importance of the settlers finding common ground for communication, leading to a degree of uniformity despite their diverse origins.
II. American Revolution: This chapter delves into the role of the American Revolution in shaping the development of American English. It explores the debates surrounding the establishment of a distinct American linguistic identity, highlighting the contributions of figures like Noah Webster. This section analyzes the linguistic controversies and the emergence of American English as a standard, distinct from its British counterpart. The chapter examines the ongoing discussion about the legitimacy and status of American English in comparison to British English.
III. English in the 19th Century: This chapter focuses on the evolution of American English during the 19th century, paying particular attention to the impact of immigration on vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation. It explores the development of American English dictionaries and spelling books and how they contributed to the standardization of the language. The chapter highlights the lasting effect of the waves of immigration on the shaping of the American English lexicon and its ongoing development.
Keywords
American English, British English, colonial lag, linguistic divergence, standardization, language contact, immigration, historical linguistics, sociolinguistics, Noah Webster, dialects, prestige, American Revolution, colonial settlement.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Historical Overview of American English
What is the purpose of this document?
This document provides a comprehensive overview of the historical development of American English, tracing its evolution from the colonial period to the 19th century. It compares and contrasts American English with British English, examining the key factors that led to their divergence.
What topics are covered in this document?
The document covers a range of topics, including the linguistic landscape of colonial America, the impact of the American Revolution on the development of American English, the influence of immigration, the creation of distinct American English standards, and the interplay between social factors and linguistic change. It also explores the roles of key figures like Noah Webster and the development of dictionaries and spelling books.
What is the structure of the document?
The document is structured into sections: a table of contents, a statement of objectives and key themes, chapter summaries, and a list of keywords. The chapter summaries delve into the details of the colonial period, the American Revolution's impact on language, and the 19th-century developments.
What are the key themes explored in the document?
The key themes include the impact of colonial settlement on the development of American English; the role of the American Revolution in solidifying linguistic differences; the influence of immigration; the development of distinct standards in American and British English; and the interplay between social factors and linguistic change.
What is the colonial lag in linguistic development?
The document refers to a "colonial lag," which describes how American English retained certain archaic features of 17th-century English that were no longer present in contemporary British English. This showcases a slower pace of linguistic change in the colonies compared to the mother country.
What role did Noah Webster play in the development of American English?
Noah Webster is highlighted as a significant figure in the development of American English. His contributions to the standardization and the establishment of a distinct American linguistic identity are discussed.
How did immigration affect the development of American English?
The document emphasizes the significant influence of immigration on the vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation of American English, particularly during the 19th century. The influx of immigrants contributed to the ongoing development and shaping of the American English lexicon.
How did the American Revolution impact the development of American English?
The American Revolution played a crucial role in accelerating the development of American English as a distinct entity separate from British English. The period saw debates concerning linguistic identity and the emergence of American English as a standard language.
What is the significance of dictionaries and spelling books in the standardization of American English?
The document highlights the role of dictionaries and spelling books in contributing to the standardization of American English. These publications helped establish norms and conventions, solidifying the language's distinct features.
What keywords are associated with the document's content?
Keywords include: American English, British English, colonial lag, linguistic divergence, standardization, language contact, immigration, historical linguistics, sociolinguistics, Noah Webster, dialects, prestige, American Revolution, and colonial settlement.
- Quote paper
- Magister Anke Werckmeister (Author), 2008, American and British English differences with a look at their history, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/202227
