The Development of Standard English, 1300-1800
Title | The Development of Standard English, 1300-1800 PDF eBook |
Author | Laura Wright |
Publisher | Cambridge University Press |
Pages | 256 |
Release | 2006-11-02 |
Genre | Language Arts & Disciplines |
ISBN | 9780521029698 |
This volume describes the development of Standard English from Middle English onwards.
Towards a Standard English
Title | Towards a Standard English PDF eBook |
Author | Dieter Stein |
Publisher | Walter de Gruyter |
Pages | 332 |
Release | 2012-10-25 |
Genre | Language Arts & Disciplines |
ISBN | 3110864282 |
The future of English linguistics as envisaged by the editors of Topics in English Linguistics lies in empirical studies which integrate work in English linguistics into general and theoretical linguistics on the one hand, and comparative linguistics on the other. The TiEL series features volumes that present interesting new data and analyses, and above all fresh approaches that contribute to the overall aim of the series, which is to further outstanding research in English linguistics.
The Emergence of Standard English
Title | The Emergence of Standard English PDF eBook |
Author | John H. Fisher |
Publisher | University Press of Kentucky |
Pages | 172 |
Release | 2021-11-21 |
Genre | Language Arts & Disciplines |
ISBN | 0813187362 |
Language scholars have traditionally agreed that the development of the English language was largely unplanned. John H. Fisher challenges this view, demonstrating that the standardization of writing and pronunciation was, and still is, made under the control of political and intellectual forces. In these essays Fisher chronicles his gradual realization that Standard English was not a popular evolution at all but was the direct result of political decisions made by the Lancastrian administrations of Henry IV and Henry V. To achieve standardization and acceptance of the vernacular, these kings turned to their Chancery scribes, who were responsible for writing and copying legal and royal documents. Chaucer, a relative of the king, began to be labeled by the government as a master of the language, and it was Henry V who inspired the fifteenth-century tradition of citing Chaucer as the "maker" of English. An even more important link between language development and government practice is the fact that Chaucer himself composed in the English of the Chancery scribes. Fisher discusses the development of Chancery practices, royal involvement in promoting use of the vernacular, Chaucer's use of English, Caxton's use of Chancery Standard, and the nineteenth-century phenomenon of a standard, or "received," pronunciation of English. This engaging and clearly written work will change the way scholars understand the development of English and think about the intentional shaping of our language.
Standards of English
Title | Standards of English PDF eBook |
Author | Raymond Hickey |
Publisher | Cambridge University Press |
Pages | 445 |
Release | 2012-12-06 |
Genre | Language Arts & Disciplines |
ISBN | 0521763894 |
The first book-length exploration of 'standard Englishes' with contributions by the leading experts on each major variety of English discussed.
From Old English to Standard English
Title | From Old English to Standard English PDF eBook |
Author | Dennis Freeborn |
Publisher | University of Ottawa Press |
Pages | 502 |
Release | 1998 |
Genre | Language Arts & Disciplines |
ISBN | 0776604694 |
"This practical and informative course book is a fascinating, visual volume which leads the student through the development of the language from Old English, through Middle and Early Modern English to the establishment of Standard English in the eighteenth century." "At the core of this substantially expanded second edition lies a series of nearly 200 historical texts, of which more than half are reproduced in facsimile, and which illustrate the progressive changes in the language. The book is firmly based upon linguistic description, with commentaries which form a series of case studies demonstrating the evidence for language change at every level - handwriting, spelling, punctuation, vocabulary, grammar and meaning." "Such a wealth of texts, as well as the structured activities and the various case studies, allow the volume to be used not only as a stimulating course text, guiding students through the analysis of data, but also as a comprehensive resource book and invaluable reference tool for teachers and students at all levels."--BOOK JACKET.Title Summary field provided by Blackwell North America, Inc. All Rights Reserved
The Emergence and Development of English
Title | The Emergence and Development of English PDF eBook |
Author | William A. Kretzschmar (Jr.) |
Publisher | Cambridge University Press |
Pages | 269 |
Release | 2018-10-25 |
Genre | Language Arts & Disciplines |
ISBN | 1108469981 |
Presents a beginner's introduction to the history of the English language, incorporating complex systems, the scientific model behind human speech.
Gender Shifts in the History of English
Title | Gender Shifts in the History of English PDF eBook |
Author | Anne Curzan |
Publisher | Cambridge University Press |
Pages | 237 |
Release | 2003-04-24 |
Genre | Language Arts & Disciplines |
ISBN | 1139436686 |
How and why did grammatical gender, found in Old English and in other Germanic languages, gradually disappear from English and get replaced by a system where the gender of nouns and the use of personal pronouns depend on the natural gender of the referent? How is this shift related to 'irregular agreement' (such as she for ships) and 'sexist' language use (such as generic he) in Modern English, and how is the language continuing to evolve in these respects? Anne Curzan's accessibly written and carefully researched study is based on extensive corpus data, and will make a major contribution by providing a historical perspective on these often controversial questions. It will be of interest to researchers and students in history of English, historical linguistics, corpus linguistics, language and gender, and medieval studies.