Language Change - Important Dates

Question 1

What year did the Great Vowel Shift begin?

Answer 1

1450

Question 2

When was William Caxton’s printing press created?

Answer 2

1476

Question 3

When was King James’ authorised Bible released?

Answer 3

1611

Question 4

When was Samuel Johnson’s dictionary released?

Answer 4

1755

Question 5

When was Noah Webster’s American dictionary released?

Answer 5

1828

Question 6

When was the Oxford English Dictionary officially published?

Answer 6

1928

Question 7

William Bullokar publishes “A Brief Grammar of English” which continues setting grammatical rules.

Answer 7

1586

Question 8

“A Table Alphabeticall” is published by Robert Cawdrey. It is a word list.

Answer 8

1604

Question 9

What was a flaw with Johnson’s dictionary?

Answer 9

It’s flawed as Johnson left out the words he simply did not like. It does however set standards for lexicography, such as spelling, definitions and usage existing for each entry.

Question 10

The Industrial Revolution begins! People begin needing new words to name all of the new inventions being made.

Answer 10

1660

Question 11

“A Short Introduction to English Grammar” by Robert Lowth is published. It carries on prescribing ‘correct’ grammar. Establishes that double negatives are “bad grammar”

Answer 11

1762

Question 12

Education Act makes it compulsory for children to remain in full education until the age of 12

Answer 12

1870

Question 13

New technology makes new methods of communication.

Answer 13

1990