History of Language and Lexicography (C) - English

obligatory courses

Classroom

The Course aims at developing students’ knowledge and skills with regard to the history of the English language from its earliest period to the contemporary times. The topics discussed will include the most important events as well as grammatical changes which have shaped the English

The Course aims at familiarising the students with linguistic elements that shaped the English language. Students use the terminology of diachronic and synchronic linguistics which allows them to deepen their knowledge for future projects.

Throughout the Course, the students will be able to improve their linguistic skills thanks to linking the historical events with linguistic processes. They will be able to recognise the origin of common words and spelling as well as grammar changes. The Course content is presented below.

The Course is also aimed at teaching the students to understand a meaning and influence of cultural and historical events.

Student's work:

30 hours: being present at lectures: 1 ECTS

30 hours: individual work based on reading subject literature and gaining knowledge, preparation for the exam: 1 ECTS

1. Historical linguistics. Synchronic and diachronic approach. External and internal history of languages.

2. Periods in the history of English language.

3. Genetic classification of languages. Indo-European and Germanic languages. Grimm’s Law and Verner’s Law. Periodisation of the history of English.

4. Old English: Germanic tribes on the British Isles. Contacts with other languages (Latin, Celtic). Written language. Old English literature. Grammatical features of Old English. Pronunciation. Standard Old English. Dialects.

5. Middle English: Norman invasion. Status of English. Influences from other languages. Middle English literature. Borrowings from French and Latin. The introduction of print. Grammatical features of Middle English (phonology, morphology, syntax, vocabulary). New spelling conventions. Regional dialects.

6. Early Modern English: The growth in prestige in the 16-17th century. Expansion of vocabulary. Normative tendencies (orthoepists, grammarians, standaridation). Early Modern English literature. The beginning of the geographical expnasion of English. Great Vowel Shift. Phonetic and morphological changes after 1500. First lexicographic works.

7. Late Modern English: Further expansion of English. The

Oxford English Dictionary and the development of lexicography. Phonological development. RP. Regional varieties of Modern English (English In America, Australia, New Zealand. South Africa)

8. Development of American English. Americanisms. Dialects. Noah Webster and his lexicographic works.

9. Contemporary dialects of Great Britain. English-speaking world varieties.

10. Current status of English. Lingua franca.

11. Specialised varieties of English language.

Obligatory references:

Fisiak, J. 2005. An outline history of English. Vol. I: External history. 4th ed.

Poznań: Wydawnictwo Poznańskie.

McIntyre, D., 2008, History of English: A Resource Book for Students

(Routledge English Language Introductions).

Mugglestone, L., 2006, The Oxford History of English, Oxford.

Supplementary references:

1. Baker, Peter S. 2003. Introduction to Old English. Oxford: Blackwell.

2. Fisiak, J. 2004. A short grammar of Middle English. 8th ed. Poznań:

Wydawnictwo Poznańskie.

3. Millward, C.M. 1996. A biography of the English language. 2nd ed. Fort

Worth: Harcourt Brace College Publishers.

4. Pyles, T. – Algeo, J. 1982. The origins and development of the English

language. 3rd ed. or newer.

5. Reszkiewicz, A. 1971. Synchronic essentials of Old English. Warszawa:

PWN.

6. Wełna, Jerzy. 2003. A brief outline of the history of English. Warszawa: Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Warszawskiego.

Knowledge:

The student is expected to

- have advanced knowledge of the history and origins of English language in the context of pronunciation, morphology, syntax and vocabulary (K_W01);

- have advanced and systematised chronologically knowledge of the history of English language (K_W03);

- comprehend the dependencies between the past and present and their impact on current awareness and identity of the speakers of English (K_W04);

- have advanced knowledge of information sources including the language meaning change and to comprehend its usefulness in linguistic research (K_W09);

- be aware of language nature and complexity (K_W09).

Skills:

The student is expected to

- discuss the sources of the English languages as well as its most characteristic features of pronunciation, morphology, syntax and vocabulary (K_U05);

- recognise the linguistic forms of English historical period(K_U01);

- present the key events which have shaped the English language (K_U03);

- discuss historical changes (K_U04).

Socio-cultural competencies:

The student is expected to

- discuss at the basic level the linguistic historical processes in English (K_K03);

- use the acquired knowledge in a language teaching process as well as explain the origins of basic words and their spelling (K_U04).

Assessment criteria:

Oral exam. Each student picks 2 topics at random (i.e. the first covers historical knowledge and the background of a given phenomenon, the second covers a purely linguistic process) and 1 sample reading recommended by the tutor.

The overall oral exam result is established in accordance with the following scale:

60%-69% = 3.

70%-79% = 3+

80%-84% = 4.

85%-90% = 4+

91%-100% = 5.

Exam is obligatory. Absence at the first date results in losing the first date. Student is entitled for one retake only.

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