Introductory description

Where did English come from and how has it changed over time? This module will give you a comprehensive understanding of the historical development of the English language, including an awareness of how different languages have informed this development. You will learn about the roots of English and how it has developed through the Old English, Middle English, Early Modern and Late Modern periods, with reference to texts, including literary texts, from these periods. You will also gain an enhanced awareness of current issues related to Standard English and prescriptivism.

Module web page

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

Term 2: The History of English in Britain

Indo-European and Germanic languages
Language evolution and change
Language contact, with reference to the history of English in England
Old English (with a focus on Beowulf) - and the other languages of Britain in the past
Middle English (with a focus on Chaucer)
Early Modern English (with a focus on Shakespeare)
Late Modern English (with a focus on Samuel Johnson and Jonathan Swift)
Dialects, standard languages (with a focus on English in 19th and 20th century England), and prescriptivism
The development of Received Pronunciation
English -- and other languages -- in Britain today

Learning outcomes

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

• Demonstrate understanding of the ways in which languages evolve and change
• Understand processes of standardization, both in relation to English and other languages
• Demonstrate a knowledge of broad trends in the historical development of English in England
• Understand the way English has been affected by contact with other languages, and how its learning and use can have an impact on other languages

Indicative reading list

Barber, C., Beal J. C. & Shaw, P.A. (2009). The English Language. A Historical Introduction. Cambridge: Cambridge: University Press.
Baugh, A. C. & Cable, T. (2002). A history of the English language. 5th edition. London: Routledge.
Fennell, B. (2001). A history of English: A sociolinguistic approach. Oxford: Blackwell.
Graddol, D. (2006). English next. London: The British Council.
Hough, C. & Corbett, J. (2013) (2nd ed.) Beginning old English Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.
Pons-Sanz, S.M. (2014). The language of early English literature: From Caedmon to Milton. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.
Svartvik, J & Leech, G. (2006). English: One tongue, many voices. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.

View reading list on Talis Aspire

Research element

In this module, students will be trained in and engage in library research, and be involved in browsing and closely analysing Old, Middle and Early / Late Modern English texts in digital archives.

Interdisciplinary

The module integrates insights from sociolinguistics, geography, history, literary history, history of linguistics and historical linguistics.

International

Students will gain an increased appreciation how English developed in Britain, viewed from a multilingual perspective..

Subject specific skills

• Develop an understanding of how the English language has changed over time.
• Develop a comprehensive understanding of the historical complexity of the English language.
• Develop an enhanced awareness of current issues related to standardization and prescriptivism.

Transferable skills

• Develop ability to analyse how English was / is used in different historical periods
• Analyse language in general and the English language in particular at every level from the word to its place in society at large.
• Develop a solid grasp of the theories and research findings related to language acquisition, language use and applied linguistics.
• Develop knowledge and understanding of the nature of language and how it is used in communication between people from different linguistic and cultural backgrounds.
• Develop the ability to learn independently and to gain intellectual breadth and flexibility