Features of Late Modern English 1750-1950 Flashcards
What is the primary distinction between Early Modern English and Late Modern English?
Late Modern English saw less grammatical change but significant vocabulary expansion due to industrial, scientific, and colonial developments.
Which dictionary, published in 1755, significantly influenced the standardization of Late Modern English?
Samuel Johnson’s A Dictionary of the English Language.
What major global event in the 18th century contributed to the spread of English?
British colonial expansion.
How did the Industrial Revolution (late 18th–19th century) influence Late Modern English?
It introduced new vocabulary related to machinery, industry, and technology (e.g., ‘engine,’ ‘factory’).
What impact did advances in science have on Late Modern English vocabulary?
Scientific progress added many Latin and Greek terms, especially in fields like biology and chemistry (e.g., ‘oxygen,’ ‘biology’).
What is the ‘prescriptive approach’ to language, and how did it influence Late Modern English?
It is the belief in enforcing strict rules for language use, as seen in grammar guides and dictionaries of the period.
Which grammar guide, published in 1762, sought to standardize English usage?
Robert Lowth’s A Short Introduction to English Grammar.
How did colonialism influence the vocabulary of Late Modern English?
Words from colonized regions were borrowed, such as ‘bungalow’ (Hindi) and ‘kangaroo’ (Aboriginal Australian).
What technological advancement in the 19th century helped standardize English spelling and grammar?
The development of mass printing and widespread education.
What was the impact of Noah Webster’s American Dictionary of the English Language (1828) on English?
It standardized American English spelling and created distinctions from British English (e.g., ‘color’ vs. ‘colour’).
How did the rise of newspapers and periodicals affect Late Modern English?
It popularized standardized forms of English and disseminated them widely.
How did Victorian literature influence Late Modern English?
Writers like Charles Dickens and the Brontë sisters contributed to narrative styles and expanded expressive vocabulary.
What is Received Pronunciation (RP), and how is it linked to Late Modern English?
RP is a standardized British accent that emerged in the late 18th century, often associated with social prestige.
What was the role of the postal system in standardizing English during this period?
Improved communication required clarity and uniformity in language use.
What is an example of a semantic shift during the Late Modern English period?
‘Nice’ changed from meaning ‘foolish’ or ‘ignorant’ to its modern meaning of ‘pleasant.’
