This is my revision sheet for Key Moments in the Linguistic History of the English Speaking Wolrd.
It includes all aspects you need to know for the exam, nevertheless, you should also read the texts from McIntyre provided in StudIP (if you take part in this course).
Content:
Old Englisch (History and Language)
Middle English (History and Language)
Early Modern English (History and Language)
Translation of the Bible
Standardisation
Great Vowel Shift
Inner, outer and expanding circles
Pidgins and Creoles
North American English
Indian English
English in the Southern Hemisphere (Australian English, New Zealand English, Black South African English, White South African English)
Laguage and Educational Policies
Table of Contents
1. Old English
2. Middle English
3. Early Modern English
4. Inner, Outer and Expanding Circles
5. Pidgins and Creoles
6. North American English
7. Indian English
8. English in the Southern Hemisphere
9. Language and Educational Policies
Objectives and Topics
This work provides a comprehensive revision of the historical evolution, structural development, and global diversification of the English language, examining its transformation from a synthetic to an analytic language and its current status in various international contexts.
- Historical development stages: Old, Middle, and Early Modern English.
- Theoretical models of English usage: Inner, Outer, and Expanding Circles.
- Evolution of contact languages: Formation of Pidgins and Creoles.
- Regional variations: North American, Indian, and Southern Hemisphere varieties of English.
- Sociolinguistic aspects: Language policy, standardization, and educational perspectives.
Excerpt from the Book
3. Early Modern English
The Great Vowel Shift (1400-1650)
vowel which is higher up in vowel chart was used instead of vowel below
position of tongue was raised
push chain: one vowel pushes the other away
drag chain: other vowels are dragged in leftover spot
→ all vowels needed to be raised
[i:] and [u:] were the highest and couldn’t move any higher → turned into diphthongs [ti:d] & [hu:s] → [təid] & [həus] (not finished shift)
Summary of Chapters
1. Old English: Covers the history and linguistic characteristics of English from 450 to 1100, characterized as a synthetic language dependent on inflections.
2. Middle English: Describes the period from 1100 to 1500, marked by significant influence from French and the transition toward an analytic language structure.
3. Early Modern English: Focuses on the period between 1500 and 1800, highlighting the impact of Bible translations, standardization via printing, and the Great Vowel Shift.
4. Inner, Outer and Expanding Circles: Explores global models of English categorizations and the difficulties inherent in defining proficiencies and varieties.
5. Pidgins and Creoles: Details the evolutionary development of contact languages, emphasizing the influence of colonial history and structural simplification.
6. North American English: Analyzes the specific linguistic divergences in spelling, pronunciation, and dialects within the North American context.
7. Indian English: Discusses the establishment and phonological features of English in India following colonial history.
8. English in the Southern Hemisphere: Provides a comparative overview of Australian, New Zealand, and South African English varieties.
9. Language and Educational Policies: Outlines the stages of language death and examines the debate regarding native versus non-native English teachers.
Keywords
Old English, Middle English, Great Vowel Shift, Kachru, Pidgins, Creoles, Sociolinguistics, Diaspora, Standardization, Dialect, Phonology, Language Death, Native Speakers, Syntax, Lexis
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core subject of this publication?
The work provides a revision-focused overview of the development, spread, and variation of the English language, covering historical periods, global varieties, and sociolinguistic models.
What are the central thematic fields covered?
The main themes include historical linguistics, the socio-political spread of English through diasporas, the formation of new language varieties like Creoles, and educational language policy.
What is the primary objective of this text?
The primary goal is to provide a structured revision guide that explains how English evolved from an inflection-heavy language to the global lingua franca it is today.
Which scientific methods are primarily utilized?
The work utilizes historical-comparative linguistics, sociolinguistic modeling (such as Kachru’s 3-Circle Model), and comparative analysis of regional varieties.
What content is addressed in the main chapters?
The main chapters systematically address historical periods (Old, Middle, Early Modern), categorize English usage globally, analyze contact languages like Pidgins, and compare regional variations across different continents.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
Key terms include historical development, linguistic standardization, language contact, sociolinguistics, and global English varieties.
How does the "3-Circle Model" describe global English?
Kachru’s model divides English into the Inner Circle (ENL), Outer Circle (ESL), and Expanding Circle (EFL), based on geography and historical usage patterns.
What distinguishes a Pidgin from a Creole?
A Pidgin is a contact language with no native speakers used to fulfill restricted needs, whereas a Creole is a Pidgin that has become the first language of a new generation of speakers.
What are the primary arguments for non-native English teachers?
Arguments include their ability to explain grammatical rules better, their awareness of learner-specific challenges, and their own experience in acquiring the language as a second language.
How did the "Great Vowel Shift" impact English?
It caused a systemic shift in the pronunciation of long vowels, leading to the raising of tongue positions and the eventual development of certain diphthongs.
- Quote paper
- Sarah Fuhrken (Author), 2014, Revision. Key Moments in the Linguistic History of the English Speaking World, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/279663
