Lecture 1 Flashcards
How can the English language be defined according to the lecture?
English can be defined based on external features (where and by whom it’s used, when it was used) and internal features (sounds, vocabulary, spelling, syntax, morphology).
Why is it challenging to view English as a single, uniform language?
Because English shows variation in space (regional differences), time (diachronic changes), and social use (differences among groups, genres, registers).
What is the relationship between variation and change in language?
Variation leads to change, and change produces new variation; understanding both requires looking at both internal linguistic features and external social-historical contexts.
What are the main historical periods of English discussed in the course?
The periods include Old English, Middle English, and Modern English—with Early English covering Old, Middle, and Early Modern English.
When does the Old English period extend from and to?
The Old English period is generally dated from around 450 CE to 1100/1150 CE.
Which writing systems were used in early Old English texts?
Early texts used runes (the futhorc) but later texts primarily used the Latin alphabet, supplemented with additional graphemes such as wynn and thorn.
From what does the name “English” derive?
The name derives from the Angles, one of the Germanic peoples who settled in Britain.
Which Germanic groups were responsible for the early development of English?
The Saxons, Frisians, Angles, and Jutes, who migrated and settled in Britain during the 5th and 6th centuries.
What is the Old English Heptarchy?
It is the group of seven kingdoms—Kent, Sussex, Essex, Wessex, East Anglia, Mercia, and Northumbria—that emerged from early Germanic settlements in England.
How did the Christianisation of Anglo-Saxon kingdoms affect Old English?
The mission of St Augustine in 597 introduced Latin, which became the language of Christianity and learning, influencing Old English.
What effect did Scandinavian invasions and settlements have on early English?
They led to cultural exchange, intermarriage, and bilingualism, although Old English remained the dominant language.
Who was King Alfred and what did he contribute to Old English literature?
King Alfred (849–899) promoted learning by translating Latin texts into Old English and initiating works like the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle.
What is Ælfric known for in the context of Old English?
Ælfric is known for his Bible translations, prose texts (such as the Homilies and Lives of Saints), and his work on Latin grammar, which helped standardize Old English.
Why is the West-Saxon dialect significant in the study of Old English?
It became the literary standard for Old English texts and is the basis for many surviving manuscripts, even beyond its native spoken region.
How did political shifts in the 10th and early 11th centuries influence language use in England?
The consolidation of kingdoms, conflicts between West-Saxon and Danish rulers (e.g., under Cnut and Edward the Confessor), and the introduction of French in the court all affected language practices.
What is the difference between internal and external changes in language evolution?
Internal changes affect the linguistic system itself (grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation), while external changes are driven by social, political, and cultural contexts.
What is a major limitation of the surviving Old English textual evidence?
The evidence is fragmentary, with many texts being short inscriptions, glosses, or later manuscript copies, predominantly in the West-Saxon dialect.
