A brief History of English

Flashcard 1: Why study the History of English?

Q: Why is it important to study the history of English language?

A: The history of English helps explain modern features like plural markers (-s) and irregular verbs. It also shows how the language evolved and why English, a relatively young language (around 1,500 years old), has certain linguistic traits.

Flashcard 2: What is Historic Linguistics?

Q: What is historical linguistics, and what does it study?

A: Historical linguistics (or diachronic linguistics) studies languages change over time, explaining both internal language changes (such as phonetic shifts) and external changes (due to contact with other languages).

Flashcard 3: Main Periods in the History of English

Q: What are the four main periods in the history of English?

A: The four periods are:

1. Old English (c450-1150)

2. Middle English (c1150-1500)

3. Early Modern English (c1500-1700)

4. Modern English (1700-present)

Flashcard 4: Old English (450 - 1150)

Q: What are the key features of Old English?

A:

• Inflected language: Complex system of noun and verb inflections (case, gender, number)

• Germanic roots: Predominantly Germanic vocabulary with limited Latin and Celtic influence

• Free word oder: Word order was not fixed due to inflectional endings.

• Key works: Beowulf is the most important literary work from this period.

Flashcard 5: Middle English (1150 - 1500)

Q: How did the Norman Conquest affect English?

A: The Norman Conquest in 1066 led to French becoming the language of the ruling class. This introduced a large number of French words into English, especially in areas like law, government, and culture. Grammar also simplified, marking the transition from OId English to Middle English.

Flashcard 6: Middle English features

Q: What are the key linguistic features of Middle English?

A:

• French influence: A significant influx of French vocabulary.

• Simplified grammar: Loss of many inflections.

• Beginning of the Great Vowel Shift: Vowel changes began, which continued into Early Modern English.

• Key works: Geoffrey Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales is the most famous work of this period.

Flashcard 7: Early Modern English (1500 - 1700)

Q: What were the main linguistic developments in Early Modern English?

A:

• Introduction of printing press (1476) by William Caxton led to spelling and grammatical standardization.

• Expansion of vocabulary: Borrowing from Latin, Greek, and Renaissance influences.

• Great Vowel Shift: Pronounciation of long vowels changed.

• Influential authors: Works by Shakespear and King James Bible shaped the language signifcantly.

Flashcard 8: The Great Vowel Shift

Q: What was the Great Vowel Shift?

A: A major phonological change in which long vowels were either raised ot diphthongized. It started in the 14th century and affected the pronounciation of vowels. leading to the modern vowel system of English.

Flashcard 9: Modern English (1700 - Present)

Q: What are the key features of Modern English?

A:

• Simplified grammar: English became more analytical, with less reliance on inflection.

• Standardization: Grammar and spelling were codified, particulary through Samuel Johnson’s Dictionary of the English Language (1755).

• Global spread: English became a global language due to British colonizationn and later global communication technologies.

Flashcard 10: Vocabulary Expansion

Q: How has the English vocabulary evolved over time?

A:

• Old English: Primarily West Germanic vocabulary, with few borrowings from Latin and Celtic.

• Middle English: Extensive borrowing from French, especially in law, culture, and administration.

• Early Modern English: Borrowings from Latin, Greek, and European languages due to the Renaissance and exploration.

• Modern English: Borrowings from technological fields, and the spread of English due to globalisation.

Flashcard 11: Loss of inflection

Q: How did English lose its inflections over time?

A:

• Simplification: Over time, the complex system of noun, adjective, and verb inflections in Old English was gradually reduced.

• Shift to analytic language: As inflections decreased, English became more reliant on fixed word oder and auxiliary verbs to express grammatical relationships.

Flashcard 12: Spread of English around the World

Q: How did English spread across the globe?

A:

• Colonisation: English spread globally through British colonisation starting in the 17th century.

• Global lingua Franca: English became a dominant international language in business, science, and technology in the 20th and 21st centuries.

Flashcard 13: The Role of the Printing Press

Q: How did the printing press influence the English language?

A: The printing press, introduced by William Caxton, helped standardise English spelling, grammar, and punctuation. It made books widely available, contributing to the spread of the language and the development of a standardised written form.

Flashcard 14: English as a Global Language

Q: Why is English considered a global language?

A:

• Dominance in international fields: English is the primary language in global business, science, technology, and culture.

• Technological influence: English has become the language of digital communication and technology, which has helped it spread globally.