Introduction Flashcards

(14 cards)

1
Q

Dichotomy

A

Synchronic or Diachronic

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2
Q

Synchronic (linguistics)

A

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

e.g. English has irregular verbs

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3
Q

Diachronic

A

Study of Language changes over time.

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

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4
Q

“birthday” of linguistics

A

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

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5
Q

Key contributions of Sir William Jones

A
  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.
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6
Q

The Indo-European Language Familiy
- Family Tree

A

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

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7
Q

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

A
  1. Celtic
  2. Germanic
  3. Italic
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8
Q

The Proto - Germanic Language Family
- Language Tree & Families

A

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

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9
Q

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

A

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

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10
Q
  1. Name the four periods of the English Language.
A

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

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11
Q
  1. What are the dates of these four periods?
A

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)

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12
Q
  1. Are the dates of the four periods in the History of English fixed? Why?
A
  • 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:)
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13
Q
  1. What is the difference between synchronic and diachronic linguistics?
A
  • Synchronic linguistics studies the properties of a linguistic system at a particular point in time
  • Diachronic linguistics is the study of language over time
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14
Q
  1. To which branch of the Germanic languages does the English language belong?
A

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

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