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A History of the English Language

Level: 7
Credit Rating: 20
Code: EGL7102

Aims

A History of the English Language aims to equip students with the skills, insights and appropriate theoretical approaches necessary to analyse and describe changes in the structure of the English language from the earliest written records to the present day. This module seeks to foster a rigorous approach to historical linguistics analysis which recognises the relationship between the formulation and testing of hypotheses and the collection and analysis of historical linguistic data. Students will also be encouraged to explore historical linguistics within a framework of cultural analysis which will allow them to relate changes in the structure of English to the sociocultural contexts in which those changes occur.

Brief Module Description

Students will be required to read and analyse textual material illustrating the development of the language from its earliest written records to the present day. These texts will be used to illustrate the conventional division of the language into the Old English, Middle English, Early Modern English and Modern English periods and the salient linguistic characteristics of each period. The linguistic features in question will include aspects of the orthography, pronunciation, grammar, vocabulary and lexical meaning of each period. Students will also, however, develop the theoretical skills and insights necessary to recognise and describe the progressive ‘evolution’ of the language throughout and between these periods. Students will also be introduced to the history and development of Standard English and the debates and controversies surrounding its genesis and cultural status.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the module students should be able to:

  1. Demonstrate a thorough understanding of diachronic changes in English from Old English to Present day English, and the ability to situate those in their socio-political contexts.
  2. Develop the linguistic skills required in the close analysis of individual words and other texts.
  3. Demonstrate a critical understanding of different and sometimes conflicting approaches to the study of the history of the English language.
  4. Demonstrate the ability to use the primary and secondary sources provided and collected through independent reading as supportive documents in exploring evidence of language change and/or the ideology that has influenced the development of the English language.

Learning and Teaching Strategy

For all the modules on this programme, the module handbook guides the student through relevant topics in conjunction with recommended reading. The handbook includes many exercises, which encourage the students to reflect on and interact with the knowledge they are acquiring. Students may contact the module tutor at any point for support during their learning experience, using post, email or telephone as appropriate.

*Assessment Criteria

Students should demonstrate:

  • The ability to identify examples of linguistic change in semantics, lexis, phonology, syntax and orthographics (LO 1,2).
  • An understanding of how these linguistic changes might be related to historical context, particularly in terms of relevant socio-political factors (LO 3).
  • That they can work independently, and critically evaluate the linguistic concepts and methodology covered on this module (LO 4).

Assessment Strategy

Students’ progress will be monitored through two formative exercises and two assessed essays weighted equally. The formative exercises provide experience in analysis of individual words in terms of etymology, lexical and semantic change (LOs 1, 2). One of the assessed essays must be chosen from the list of topics supplied in the Assessment and Bibliography book (LOs 1-4, with emphasis on 1-2). For the second assessed essay students are required to formulate their own topic in consultation with one of the module tutors (LOs 1-4, with emphasis on 3-4). Each element of assessment should not exceed 3000 words (or equivalent).

Related Modules

A History of the English Language builds on the pre-requisite module Language Description and also Words and Meaning by providing a historical perspective on linguistic investigation. It also shares with Language and Social Variation a sociolinguistic perspective in its consideration of language change within a social context.

Method of Feedback to students

Written feedback is provided to all students on both formative and summative assignments. During the course of the module, informal feedback may be provided by email or telephone discussion as appropriate.

Learning Resources

Essential reading: Blake, N. (1996): A History of the English Language. London, Macmillan.

There is a lengthy bibliography, containing references for the sources to which students are referred in the Assignments and Bibliography book.