ET132: The History of English

Overview

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.

Learning Outcomes

This module aims to offer students a comprehensive understanding of the (multilingual) roots of the English language and how it has developed. Students will also gain a historically informed awareness of current issues related to the standardization of English and associated prescriptivist attitudes.

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

• Demonstrate understanding of the ways in which a language (English, in this case) evolves and changes
• 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.
• Analyse how English was used in different historical periods

Learning Experience

Lecture

Core content will be presented during weekly 1-hour lectures.

Seminar

We will meet in a weekly 2-hour workshop to practice and apply course concepts.

Assessment

Essay

3000 word portfolio of assignments and reflective writing on class work relating to the spread of English

Preparatory Reading

• David Crystal’s The Cambridge Encylopedia of the English Language (3rd edition) - Part 1 on ‘The History of English’