The Historical Development of the English Standard

Seminar Paper , 2004 , 22 Pages , Grade: 1,7

English Language and Literature Studies - Linguistics

Diese Arbeit beschreibt die Entstehung und die Entwicklungsphasen des britischen Standard-Englisch von den keltischen Siedlern bis zu den technologischen Entwicklungen unserer globalisierten Zeit und der Weltsprache Englisch.

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• Introduction: The English English Standard
• The genealogy of English
• Before English
  • The first settlers in Britain
  • Roman invaders
• The Old English Period (ca. 450-1150)
  • The Anglo-Saxons
  • The Vikings
  • The Normans
• The Middle English Period (ca. 1150-1500)
• The Early Modern English Period (ca. 1500-1800)
• The Victorian Age and the Industrial Revolution
• Conclusion

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This paper aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the historical development of Standard English, focusing on the factors that shaped its evolution from the first settlers in Britain to the present day. The paper explores the origins of English, the influence of various cultural and social developments, and the impact of language contact on its structure and vocabulary.

• The emergence of Standard English as a dominant dialect
• The role of language contact in shaping the English lexicon and grammar
• The influence of social and historical events on language change
• The impact of the Roman, Anglo-Saxon, Viking, and Norman periods on the English language
• The development of English pronunciation, spelling, syntax, and lexis

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

• Introduction: The English English Standard: This chapter defines the concept of Standard English and introduces the historical perspective of its evolution, highlighting the significance of understanding its unique development.
• The genealogy of English: This chapter traces the linguistic lineage of English, examining its place within the Indo-European language family and highlighting the process of language change and development.
• Before English: This chapter explores the pre-English inhabitants of Britain, including the Celts and the Romans, and examines their influence on the evolving linguistic landscape of the island.
• The Old English Period (ca. 450-1150): This chapter focuses on the arrival of the Anglo-Saxons, their conquest of Britain, and the establishment of Old English as the dominant language, exploring the impact of various tribes and cultural influences on the language.
• The Middle English Period (ca. 1150-1500): This chapter discusses the Norman Conquest and its subsequent impact on the development of English, exploring the linguistic consequences of cultural interaction and the emergence of a new, evolving language.
• The Early Modern English Period (ca. 1500-1800): This chapter analyzes the key developments in English during the Early Modern period, examining the rise of printing, the standardization of language, and the growth of vocabulary and linguistic complexity.
• The Victorian Age and the Industrial Revolution: This chapter explores the influence of the Victorian era and the Industrial Revolution on English, focusing on the impact of technological advancement, social change, and cultural developments on language.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

The primary keywords and focus topics of this text include Standard English, language evolution, linguistic contact, Indo-European language family, Old English, Middle English, Early Modern English, Anglo-Saxons, Vikings, Normans, Roman influence, Celtic language, historical linguistics, cultural influences, social change, and language standardization.

• College: University of Rostock
• Grade: 1,7
• Author: Susanne Opel (Author)
• Publication Year: 2004
• Pages: 22
• Catalog Number: V42613
• ISBN (eBook): 9783638406093
• ISBN (Book): 9783638656702
• Language: English
• Tags: Historical, Development, English, Standard