For language learners learning about grammar is inevitable. With that comes learning about the different tenses and the certain rules that one need for the proper use of the tenses because learners of a foreign language do not know which tense to use when by heart. That can be quite challenging, and in fact be very frustrating. As a soon-to-be teacher it is very important to be familiar with those rules. While dealing with the use of the different tenses I stumbled across the striking rise and fall of two of the past tenses in the German as well as the English language. This term paper carries out a literature-based study on the change of usage of the preterite and the past perfect in the English as well as in the German language. The differences between the two languages are being examined. Following the introduction is the theoretical part that provides background information on the relationship between the German and the English language and introduces the subject matter. The next section shows the development in the English and in the German language. After that, I set my findings into comparison, and draw a conclusion.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- 1. Introduction
- 2. Theoretical Part
- 2.1 The Relationship between German and English
- 2.2 Subject Matter
- 3. Approach I: The Increase of the Preterite in the English Language
- 4. Approach II: The Loss of the Präteritum in the German Language
- 5. Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This term paper aims to explore the changing usage of the preterite and past perfect tenses in the English and German languages through a literature-based study. It examines the differences in development between the two languages, focusing on the rise of the preterite in English and the loss of the Präteritum in German.
- The historical relationship between English and German as Indo-European languages
- The influence of historical events, such as the Norman Invasion, on English language development
- The impact of language variation and standardization on the evolution of both languages
- The divergence of grammatical structures in English and German, specifically regarding past tense formation
- Comparative analysis of the development of the preterite and past perfect tenses in both languages
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
- Introduction: The chapter introduces the topic of tense usage in language learning and highlights the significance of understanding the preterite and past perfect tenses. It outlines the structure of the paper and its focus on examining the changing usage of these tenses in English and German.
- Theoretical Part: This part provides a foundation for the analysis by examining the historical relationship between English and German as Indo-European languages. It explores the similarities and differences in vocabulary and grammar, highlighting the influence of historical events and language variation on their development.
- Approach I: The Increase of the Preterite in the English Language: This section focuses on the rising usage of the preterite in English, analyzing the reasons behind this development and its implications for understanding the language's evolution.
- Approach II: The Loss of the Präteritum in the German Language: This chapter explores the decline of the Präteritum in German, examining the factors contributing to this change and its impact on the present-day German language.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
This research delves into the comparative analysis of the preterite and past perfect tenses in English and German. Key terms include Indo-European languages, historical linguistics, language variation, grammatical change, preterite, past perfect, Präteritum, and comparative method.
- Quote paper
- Sarah Schettgen (Author), 2019, The Rise and Fall of the Preterite and the Present Perfect. The German and the English Language in Comparison, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/494339
