Introduction

Question 1

Dichotomy

Answer 1

Synchronic or Diachronic

Question 2

Synchronic (linguistics)

Answer 2

Study of the properties of a linguistic system at a particular point in time.

e.g. English has irregular verbs

Question 3

Diachronic

Answer 3

Study of Language changes over time.

e.g. The number of irregular verbs has been steadily reduced over the last ~1500 year.

Question 4

“birthday” of linguistics

Answer 4

in 1768 Sir William Jones presented a paper to Royal Asiatic Society in Calcutta

Question 5

Key contributions of Sir William Jones

Answer 5

1. He noticed that many different languages have regular patterns and similarity.
2. These languages are similar because they come from common ancestors.
3. He understood that some languages are more closely related than others.

Question 6

The Indo-European Language Familiy
- Family Tree

Answer 6

Indo-European (or Indo-Germanic)
- Armenic, Indo-Iranian, Celtic, Germanic, Italic, Greek, Slavic

Question 7

Which Branches are relevant for class?
- Indo-European Language Family

Answer 7

1. Celtic
2. Germanic
3. Italic

Question 8

The Proto - Germanic Language Family
- Language Tree & Families

Answer 8

Germanic / Proto-Germannic
1. branch - North Germanic:
- Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Icelandic
2. branch - West Germanic:
- English
- Dutch
- German
3. branch: East Germanic:
- Gothic

Question 9

Periods in the History of English
- According to Herbst/ Stoll/ Westermayer (1991: 240)

Answer 9

Old English: 450(700) - 1100
Middle English: 1100 - 1500
Early Modern English: 1500 - 1700
Modern English: since 1700

Question 10

1. Name the four periods of the English Language.

Answer 10

Old English
Middle English
Early Modern English
Modern English
- According to Herbst/ Stoll/ Westermayer (1991: 240)

Question 11

2. What are the dates of these four periods?

Answer 11

Old English: 450(700) - 1100
Middle English: 1100 - 1500
Early Modern English: 1500 - 1700
Modern English: since 1700
- According to Herbst/ Stoll/ Westermayer (1991: 240)

Question 12

3. Are the dates of the four periods in the History of English fixed? Why?

Answer 12

• Not as such
• there are certain points in time that can be assigned pretty clearly to specific periods, others not as much
• but there are various Periods in English history according to different perspectives
  (Maria’ Überlegungen, kein proof:)

Question 13

4. What is the difference between synchronic and diachronic linguistics?

Answer 13

• Synchronic linguistics studies the properties of a linguistic system at a particular point in time
• Diachronic linguistics is the study of language over time

Question 14

5. To which branch of the Germanic languages does the English language belong?

Answer 14

Proto-Germanic
- West Germanic
- English, Dutch, German