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ENG211Arts2 Unitsintermediate

History of the English Language

This course introduces the history of the English Language from Old English to its present status as a world language. It explores major changes in grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation from the Old English to the Modern Period. The course examines social and political events such as the Anglo-Saxon Conquest, Danish Invasion, and Norman Conquest, as well as the rise of the middle class, the emergence of dictionaries, the Great Vowel Shift, and the development of World Englishes.

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90h
Study Time
13
Weeks
7h
Per Week
none
Math Level
Course Keywords
HistoryEnglish LanguageOld EnglishMiddle EnglishModern English

Course Overview

Everything you need to know about this course

Course Difficulty

Intermediate Level
Builds on foundational knowledge
65%
intermediate
📚
Math Level
No Math
📖
Learning Type
Theoretical Focus

Course Topics

Key areas covered in this course

1

Old English Period

2

Middle English Period

3

Early Modern English Period

4

The Norman Conquest

5

The Great Vowel Shift

6

The Renaissance

7

World Englishes

8

Standardization of English

Total Topics8 topics

Ready to Start

No specific requirements needed

This course is designed to be accessible to all students. You can start immediately without any prior knowledge or specific preparation.

Assessment Methods

How your progress will be evaluated (3 methods)

assignments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

tutor-marked assignments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

final examination

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Computer Based Test

Career Opportunities

Explore the career paths this course opens up for you

Linguist

Apply your skills in this growing field

Lexicographer

Apply your skills in this growing field

Language Teacher

Apply your skills in this growing field

Translator

Apply your skills in this growing field

Editor

Apply your skills in this growing field

Industry Applications

Real-world sectors where you can apply your knowledge

EducationPublishingTranslation ServicesMediaInternational Relations

Study Schedule Beta

A structured 13-week journey through the course content

Week
1

Module 1: Introduction

4h

Unit 1: English Language: the Roots; the Language Situation in England before English; the Roman Conquest

2 study hours
  • •Read about the roots of the English language and its classification within the Indo-European family.
  • •Identify the languages spoken in England before the arrival of English.
  • •Examine the impact of the Roman Conquest on the language situation in England.

Unit 2: Anglo-Saxon Conquest; the Origin and Status of Old English; Some Features of the Old English

2 study hours
  • •Study the Anglo-Saxon Conquest and the establishment of Old English.
  • •Identify the Germanic tribes involved and their impact on the language.
  • •Explore the features of Old English grammar and vocabulary.
Week
2

Module 1: Introduction

2h

Unit 3: Influences on the Old English: Religion, The Danish Invasion and the Age of the Vikings

2 study hours
  • •Analyze the influence of Christianity on Old English vocabulary and literature.
  • •Examine the impact of the Danish invasion and the Viking Age on the language.
  • •Identify Scandinavian loanwords in English.
Week
3

Module 1: Introduction

2h

Unit 4: Middle English Period: the Norman Conquest (1066-1200); The Ascendancy of French; The Fusion of French and English; Re-establishment of English

2 study hours
  • •Study the Norman Conquest and its impact on the English language.
  • •Examine the ascendancy of French and its fusion with English.
  • •Understand the re-establishment of English after French domination.
Week
4

Module 1: Introduction

2h

Unit 5: English and French in the 13th Century; the Decline of French; the Rise of the Middle Class; General Adoption of English

2 study hours
  • •Analyze the relationship between English and French in the 13th century.
  • •Examine the decline of French and the rise of the middle class.
  • •Understand the factors leading to the general adoption of English.
Week
5

Module 2: Middle English

2h

Unit 1: Some Characteristics of Middle English: Grammar, Vocabulary, Spelling and Speech Sounds

2 study hours
  • •Identify changes in Middle English grammar, vocabulary, spelling, and speech sounds.
  • •Analyze the decay of inflections and the establishment of fixed word order.
Week
6

Module 2: Middle English

2h

Unit 2: The Rise of the Standard English; the Spread of the London Dialect

2 study hours
  • •Study the rise of Standard English and the spread of the London dialect.
  • •Examine the factors contributing to the development of Standard English.
Week
7

Module 2: Middle English

2h

Unit 3: Early Modern Periods (1500-1750): Some Characteristics; The Renaissance English; Changes in Grammar

2 study hours
  • •Describe the characteristics of the Early Modern English period.
  • •Examine the Renaissance English and changes in grammar.
  • •Understand the impact of printing technology on the English language.
Week
8

Module 2: Middle English

2h

Unit 4: The Problem of Spelling; the Inkhorn Controversy; the Vocabulary Question

2 study hours
  • •Analyze the problem of spelling and the inkhorn controversy.
  • •Examine the vocabulary question and further enrichment of vocabulary.
Week
9

Module 2: Middle English

2h

Unit 5: The Emergence of Dictionaries; Shakespeare and the World of Words; the King James Bible

2 study hours
  • •Study the emergence of dictionaries and their impact on the English language.
  • •Examine the contributions of Shakespeare and the King James Bible to the development of English.
Week
10

Module 3: 18th Century English

2h

Unit 1: Changes in Pronunciation; the Great Vowel Shift; Some Features of Grammar

2 study hours
  • •Identify changes in pronunciation, including the Great Vowel Shift.
  • •Examine some features of grammar in the 18th century.
Week
11

Module 3: 18th Century English

2h

Unit 2: 18th Century English; An English Academy; Johnson's Dictionary

2 study hours
  • •Study the 18th century English, including the proposal for an English Academy.
  • •Examine Johnson's Dictionary and its impact on standardization.
Week
12

Module 3: 18th Century English

4h

Unit 3: The 18th Century Grammarians; the Rise of Prescriptive Grammar

2 study hours
  • •Analyze the 18th century grammarians and the rise of prescriptive grammar.
  • •Examine the attempts to establish rules for English grammar.

Unit 4: English since 1900

2 study hours
  • •Explore the influences on the 19th century English and beyond.
  • •Examine vocabulary and new developments in the language since 1900.
Week
13

Module 3: 18th Century English

2h

Unit 5: Sources of New Words; the Oxford English Dictionary; the Spelling Reform; Functional Varieties of English

2 study hours
  • •Identify sources of new words in Modern English.
  • •Examine the Oxford English Dictionary and its contributions.
  • •Discuss spelling reform and functional varieties of English.

This study schedule is in beta and may not be accurate. Please use it as a guide and consult the course outline for the most accurate information.

Course PDF Material

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Study Tips & Exam Preparation

Expert tips to help you succeed in this course

1

Create a timeline of key events and periods in the history of English, focusing on the major linguistic changes.

2

Develop flashcards for key terms and concepts related to each period (Old English, Middle English, etc.).

3

Practice analyzing sample texts from different periods to identify changes in grammar, vocabulary, and spelling.

4

Focus on understanding the social, political, and cultural factors that influenced language change in each period.

5

Review the major figures and their contributions to the study of English language history (e.g., Noah Webster, Samuel Johnson).

6

Compare and contrast the features of different varieties of English spoken around the world, focusing on pronunciation, vocabulary, and grammar.

7

Practice answering essay questions on key topics, such as the Great Vowel Shift, the Norman Conquest, and the spread of English as a global language.

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