theorists

Question 1

dr Samuel johnson (1755)

Answer 1

published his dictionary of the English language
- it was larger and more thourough than earlier versions
- standardised spelling
initially strove to fix English language but it is impossible to do so as language is always changing

Question 2

Robert lowth 1762

Answer 2

published the first English grammar book
- set out fundamental rules for ‘correct’ usage
- argued that some constructions are grammatically wrong
- eg. double negation, split infinitives

Question 3

jonathon swift 1712

Answer 3

sought to ‘ascertain’ and ‘improve’ the English language permanently
thought the english language was in chaos
wanted to appoint experts
contractions are inelegant and corrupt the English language
criticises young sociolects –> can be related to present day concerns (eg. neologisms introduced by young people)

Question 4

John Humphrys 2007

Answer 4

‘I H8 Txt Msgs’
- dislikes text speak e.g brb
- dislikes tautology (unnecessary - wording eg. past history)
dislikes incorrect pronoun usage

Question 5

‘americanisms’ (david crystal 2003)

Answer 5

• worries are often presented using metaphors of invasion and plague
• discourses that present american english as a threatening and dangerous outside influence
• the word ‘movie’ first apppeared in us english and then crossed the atlantic to grow popularity in the uk.
• american english provides all sorts of vernaculars and kargons which we have not had the wit to invent
• —- for example language from the pyscharists chair orginates from the us, “paranoid, pyscho, stressed out”

Question 6

which english words are borrowed from other languages?

often the dominat culture (or the culture percieved to have more prestige) lends more words than it borrows –> the process of excahnge is assymetrical

Answer 6

• victim (latin)
• piano (italian)
• cruise, yacht (dutch)
• alchohol (arabic)