Chapters 1 & 2 Flashcards
Where did the Roman Empire extend in the second century CE?
Euphrates River in the east, Britain in the West, everywhere in Europe, and North Africa
Why did everyone have to know at least a little Latin in the earliest centuries?
Because the Romans were conquering almost everything
When did the Germanic (more specifically the Anglo-Saxon) tribe become the dominant political and linguistic power in Europe?
After they invaded the southern parts of Britain in 449 CE. Latin had all but disappeared as a spoken language
When were the Anglo-Saxons converted to Christianity? Why is this important?
597 CE. Latin was reintroduced as the language of the Church
What language derived from the Anglo-Saxons at the time Latin became the language of the Church?
Old English (i.e. Beowulf)
What date did William the Conquerer become the King of England and Normandy? Who did he defeat?
1066 CE. He defeated Harold.
What was the new class William brought in with his reign?
French-speaking Normans
What was the language of the government for 150 years after 1066 CE?
French
Deterioration between France and England caused English to become increasingly an expression of nationalism. Because of this, what languages started to mix together to form a newer form of English? What was this newly evolved language called?
French, Latin based language or directly Latin. It was called Middle English
What was the single greatest influence on the formation of Modern English?
The printing press
What happened to the Modern English language because of the printing press?
The standardization of spelling, usage, and pronunciation, growth of literacy, increased the number of schools
Vernacular
The language that is native to a country, but is also a term to describe ordinary, or everyday, language as opposed to literary language and expression
Englishmen though that adding new vocabulary made them sound more sophisticated. What languages did they use?
These new vocabulary words would also contain mostly Latin and Greek
Lexicography
The practice of compiling dictionaries
What was the first permanent English-speaking settlement?
Jamestown, Virginia 1607
Creole
A language that has been formed by the mixing of two or more “parent” languages and that as become the first language of a community.
Anglicized
Made to conform to specific English forms and patterns
Etymology
The study of the history of a particular word; the derivation or origin of a word
Lexicon
A dictionary
Linguistics
The science of language, including history, formation, and structures of languages
Orthography
Correct spelling
Philolgy
The study of written records; linguistics
Phonology
The science of speech sounds, speech elements, and pronunciation
Sematics
The study of linguistic meaning and form