language change Flashcards
when was the Early English period
1450 - 1700
linguistic development factors for EME
•Printing & standardisation
•Great Vowel Shift
•King James Bible
•Renaissance
when was the printing press
1476
Caxton
why was the printing press problematic?
the use of dialectal forms - use of East Midlands dialect meant it was considered the most prestigious form
why was orthography inconsistent in EME?
it’s a gradual process
what factor helped to standardise spelling in EME?
1755
Johnson’s dictionary
When was modern english?
1700 - 1900
what were significant cultural shifts for modern english development?
Industrial Revolution - created new thing s = new words
British Empire = adopted foregin words
what was the modern and late modern era impacted by?
social unrest, political wars, revolutions / the loss of a monarchy
the most prevalent societal change during the Renaissance?
fall of feudalism and rise in capitalist and middle classes
which was more formal “you” or “thou”
you
the standardisation of the 1700s meant what
English established itself as a language of science and learning
what is a descriptivist approach to language change?
objectively describe the use of language
do not subscribe to “correct” and “incorrect” language use
what is a prescriptivist approach to language change?
favour “correct” language use
disapprove of language usage that breaks the rules
believes it leaves open to misinterpretation
what was EME orthography like?
lacks consistency
