Englisches Seminar
Universität Münster

GRUNDKURS ENGLISCHE SPRACHGESCHICHTE (GROUP II)

This course is an introduction to the history of the English language. The covered time span ranges from the pre-history of English (Indo-European and Germanic) up to the invention of printing and slightly beyond. Various aspects of all language stages are discussed, in particular changes in orthography, phonology, morphology, syntax and vocabulary. These are put in a wider context by brief introductions to historical events during the respective periods. At the end of the course, participants should be able to understand short and easy texts written at different stages in English language history.

The seminar begins with a brief survey of approaches to the subject. Furthermore, possible reasons for language change are discussed. A selection of short texts from various time periods is intended to illustrate certain aspects.

Knowledge of the Indo-European language family is important as a basis for the study of historical linguistics. Participants learn its subdivision into various groups, and how the Germanic branch differs from the other branches. Particular emphasis is paid to the First Germanic Consonant Shift (Grimm's Law) as well as Verner's Law.

The Old English period is treated in some detail, as it produced the oldest texts in the English language. It also has several affinities with German. Students are confronted with various linguistic developments as well as inflections in order to understand the synthetic nature of Old English in contrast to the analytic language of today. Throughout this study the focus is on the most important dialect at the time, namely West Saxon, which is illustrated by sample texts written in this dialect.

The twelfth century is generally taken as the start of the Middle English period. Just as in Old English, there is no fixed written standard either. In addition to various dialects, there are great differences between early texts and material from later times, such as the end of the fifteenth century. Emphasis is on the continuing change within several linguistic categories. Particular attention is paid to the language of Geoffrey Chaucer in his General Prologue to the Canterbury Tales.

The introduction of printing to England towards the end of the Middle Ages was important on various levels, which also include linguistic features. Some changes that took place during the following years, for example, the introduction of a significant number of new words to the English language, are discussed towards the end of the seminar.

The main assessment factor for the successful passing of this course will be a final examination, which will take place in the final session. Regular participation in all sessions is strongly advised. It is essential that candidates read both the course book and the compulsory further books in addition to visiting the following links:

Course Book:
Barbara A. Fennell, A History of English: a Sociolinguistic Approach (Oxford: Blackwell, 2001).

Compulsory Further Reading:
Albert C. Baugh and Thomas Cable, A History of the English Language, 5th ed. (London and New York: Routledge, 2002).
Celia M. Millward, A Biography of the English Language, 2nd ed. (Fort Worth, TX: Thomson, 1996).

Links:

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