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. Identification of regular correspondence between languages spoken in vastly different areas.
2. Attributes these similarities to descent from a common ancestor, and
3. Recognizes different degrees of similarity (and by implication: relatedness)

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 - 1100
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 - 1100
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