Historical Linguistics Modern English Modern English Where do

  • Slides: 10
Download presentation
Historical Linguistics Modern English

Historical Linguistics Modern English

Modern English • Where do we get the idea that there’s a “right” way

Modern English • Where do we get the idea that there’s a “right” way to talk? • 1700 s: Middle class drives uniformity

Modern English • Robert Burns: Scottish Poet— wanted to preserve unique Scottish identity through

Modern English • Robert Burns: Scottish Poet— wanted to preserve unique Scottish identity through language. Auld Lang Syne Should acquaintance be forgot, And never brought to mind? Should acquaintance be forgot, And auld lang syne! Chorus. -For auld lang syne, my dear, For auld lang syne. We'll tak a cup o' kindness yet, For auld lang syne. We twa hae run about the braes, And pou'd the gowans fine; But we've wander'd mony a weary fit, Sin' auld lang syne. For auld, &c.

Modern English • 1800 s – Industrial Revolution – Dialect becomes a marker of

Modern English • 1800 s – Industrial Revolution – Dialect becomes a marker of class • Cockney rhyming slang • Ice Cube on Cockney Rhyming Slang

Colonialism

Colonialism

Colonialism • India – British colonization: 1600 s – 100 s of native Indian

Colonialism • India – British colonization: 1600 s – 100 s of native Indian languages – Trading introduces new words – English becomes language of power – Gandhi: “To give millions a knowledge of English is to enslave them. ”

Colonialism • Caribbean – “Native tribes: Caribs or Canibs – 1620 s: Colonists drive

Colonialism • Caribbean – “Native tribes: Caribs or Canibs – 1620 s: Colonists drive off or kill natives – Colonists import slaves from Africa – Slaves spoke English with influence from African languages – Unique language for each island

Colonialism – Creole: A distinct language created as a hybrid of two languages—a real

Colonialism – Creole: A distinct language created as a hybrid of two languages—a real language. • Has a stable and distinct grammar • Taught to children as their native language • Haitian Creole, Gullah, Louisiana Creole French, for example – Pidgin: A simplified version of a language that develops so people can communicate. Not a “real” language. – Patois: Generically, the language of the common people. Usually refers to the creole language spoken by Jamaicans.

Colonialism • Australia – Unique case – 1788: Settled by English convicts • Dialect

Colonialism • Australia – Unique case – 1788: Settled by English convicts • Dialect of criminal and lower classes • Retained words & sounds that died out at home – Minimal interaction with aborigines

Technology’s Influence on English • Internet enriches but doesn’t change • Email, instant messenger,

Technology’s Influence on English • Internet enriches but doesn’t change • Email, instant messenger, & texting introduced new abbreviations (IMHO, LOL, ROFL) • Neologisms: – To Google – Selfie – To “friend” – Thousands of others