Human Geography By James Rubenstein Chapter 5 Key

Human Geography By James Rubenstein Chapter 5 Key Issue 1 Where Are English-Language Speakers Distributed? 02 November 2020 S. Mathews 1

Estimates of Distinct Languages Ø 2000 to 4000 languages in the world. Ø About 100 languages are spoken by at least 5 million people. Ø Another 70 languages are spoken by 2 to 5 million people. 02 November 2020 S. Mathews 2

Language A system of communication through speech. 02 November 2020 S. Mathews 3

Literary Tradition A system of written communication. 02 November 2020 S. Mathews 4

Official Language A language designated by a country for business and government. 02 November 2020 S. Mathews 5

A country with more than one official language may require all public documents to be in all languages. 02 November 2020 S. Mathews 6

Study of Geographic Elements Ø Migration spreads language. Ø Cultural Values, such as religion and ethnicity, or communicated through language. Ø Global distribution results from - interaction - isolation 02 November 2020 S. Mathews 7

A language originates at a particular place and diffuses to other locations through the migration of its speakers. 02 November 2020 S. Mathews 8

Origin and Diffusion of English is spoken fluently by 1/2 billion people, more than any language except for Mandarin. Whereas nearly all Mandarin speakers are clustered in one country – China – English speakers are distributed around the world. 02 November 2020 S. Mathews 9

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English Colonies The contemporary distribution of English speakers around the world exists because the people of England migrated with their language when they established colonies during the past four centuries. 02 November 2020 S. Mathews 11

The Diffusion of English Ø Beginning in the 17 th century, from England to America. Ø Next to Ireland. Ø To South Asia in the mid 18 th century. Ø To South Pacific in the late 18 th century. Ø To southern Africa in the late 19 th century. 02 November 2020 S. Mathews 12

Invasion and Migration Routes 02 November 2020 S. Mathews 13

Origin of English in England Ø Inhabited for thousands of years by tribes whose languages are unknown. Ø In 2000 B. C. , the Celts arrived from Europe. Ø Around A. D. 450, Germanic tribes arrived and pushed the Celts to remote areas of parts of the island. Ø In 1066, French speaking Normans arrived from France. 02 November 2020 S. Mathews 14

German Invasion Ø The Angles, Jutes, and Saxons were among the German tribes that invaded England. Ø In Old English, Angles is spelled “Engles” and is the source of the name England. Ø The Angles came from a corner or “angle” of Germany. 02 November 2020 S. Mathews 15

Viking Invasion Ø Failed in their attempt to conquer the island. Ø Many remained in the country. Ø The language was enriched with many new words of Viking origin. 02 November 2020 S. Mathews 16

Norman Invasion Ø England was conquered by the Normans in 1066. Ø From the French province of Normandy Ø The invaders made French the language of the ruling court. Ø The majority of the people still spoke English. 02 November 2020 S. Mathews 17

Loss of Normandy Ø England lost control of Normandy in 1204. Ø In 1362, the Parliament enacted the Statue of Pleading which made English the official language of the court. Ø During the 300 years of Norman influence, French and German mingled to form new language. 02 November 2020 S. Mathews 18

Dialects of English 02 November 2020 S. Mathews 19

Dialect A regional variation of a language distinguished by distinctive vocabulary, spelling, and pronunciation. 02 November 2020 S. Mathews 20

Standard Dialect A dialect that is well established and widely recognized as the most acceptable for government, business, education, and mass communication. 02 November 2020 S. Mathews 21

British Received Pronunciation (BRP) A dialect of England associated with upperclass London, which is recognized as the “standard form” of British speech. 02 November 2020 S. Mathews 22

Dialects in England Ø The 3 original dialects of Old English were associated with the 3 original invading groups. Ø By 1362, 5 regional dialects had emerged. Ø The BRP was encouraged by the introduction of the printing press to England in 1476. 02 November 2020 S. Mathews 23

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Language expert Professor Henry Higgins in “My Fair Lady” teaching “Cockney” speaking Eliza Doolittle proper English. 02 November 2020 S. Mathews 25

Regional Dialects Ø Rules for spelling and grammar were established in the eighteenth century. Ø Several dozen dialects are grouped into 3 main ones: - Northern - Midland - Southern 02 November 2020 S. Mathews 26

Differences between British and American English The earliest colonists were most responsible for the dominant language patterns that exist today in the English-speaking part of the Western Hemisphere. 02 November 2020 S. Mathews 27

English in the UK and US evolved independently th th during the 18 and 19 centuries. 02 November 2020 S. Mathews 28

Differences in Vocabulary Ø Settlers in America borrowed names from Native Americans for many new objects and experiences encountered. Ø New inventions acquired different names on either side of the Atlantic. 02 November 2020 S. Mathews 29

Differences Spelling diverged because of a strong national feeling of need in U. S. for an independent identity. 02 November 2020 S. Mathews 30

Examples of differences American Elevator Flashlight Auto Hood Auto trunk 02 November 2020 English Lift Torch Bonnet Boot S. Mathews 31

Noah Webster Ø Created the first comprehensive American dictionary and grammar books. Ø Argued that spelling and grammar reforms would help; - establish a national language - reduce cultural dependence on England - inspire national pride 02 November 2020 S. Mathews 32

Differences in Pronunciation Ø Between the U. S. and British speakers are immediately recognizable. ØHas changed more in England than in the U. S. Ø “Proper” English today is not the same as “Proper” English during the colonial period. 02 November 2020 S. Mathews 33

Dialects in the United States Major differences in U. S. dialects originated because of differences in dialects among the original settlers. 02 November 2020 S. Mathews 34

Settlement in the East Ø Original American settlements - New England - Middle Atlantic - Southeastern 02 November 2020 S. Mathews 35

Original Settlements 02 November 2020 S. Mathews 36

New England Colonists Two-thirds were Puritans from East Anglia in southeastern England. 02 November 2020 S. Mathews 37

Southeastern Colonists About half came from southeast England represented a diversity of social-class backgrounds. 02 November 2020 S. Mathews 38

Middle Atlantic Colonists More diverse – most came from the north of England, or from other countries. 02 November 2020 S. Mathews 39

Isogloss Words that are not used nationally, but have regional boundaries. 02 November 2020 S. Mathews 40

Current Dialect Differences in the East Ø Major differences occur primarily on the East Coast. Ø Eastern U. S. is separated into 3 major dialect regions due to two important isoglosses. - Northern - Midland - Southern 02 November 2020 S. Mathews 41

Regional Isoglosses Ø Some words are commonly used in one of the three major dialect areas, but rarely in two. Ø These words relate to - rural life - food - objects from daily life 02 November 2020 S. Mathews 42

Regional Isoglosses Ø Many words that were once regionally distinctive, now are national in distribution. Ø Mass media (especially radio and television) influence the adoption of the same words throughout the country. 02 November 2020 S. Mathews 43

Regional pronunciation differences are more familiar to us than word differences, although it is harder to draw precise isoglosses for them. 02 November 2020 S. Mathews 44

New England Accent Ø Well-known for dropping the “r” sound maintained especially close ties to the important ports of southern England. Ø New Englanders received more exposure to the changes in pronunciation that occurred in Britain during the 18 th century. 02 November 2020 S. Mathews 45

The mobility of Americans has been a major reason for the relatively uniform language that exists throughout much of the West. 02 November 2020 S. Mathews 46