History of the English Language

Question 1

external factors of language change

Answer 1

1. language contact
2. historical reasons
3. language policy and planning

Question 2

internal factors of language change

Answer 2

1. articulation
2. analogy
3. synonymy and homophony
4. creativity
5. random changes

Question 3

mechanisms of language change

Answer 3

1. borrowing -> importing
2. morphological levelling
3. syncretism

Question 4

periods of English language

Answer 4

1. Celts and Romans - until circa 450
2. Old English (OE) - 450 - 1150
3. Middle English (ME) - 1150 - 1500
4. Early Modern English (EMOdE) - 1500 - 1700
5. Modern English/ Present-day English - from 1700

Question 5

Great Vowel Shift

Answer 5

regular and conditioned sound change that began around 1400 and ended around 1700
affected all long and stressed ME vowels

Question 6

semantic change

Answer 6

1. narrowing
2. broadening
3. meaning shift
   -amelioration
   -pejoration