History of the English Language

1. Trace the historical development of the English language from its origins to the present day.
2. Identify and describe the major periods and events that shaped the English language.
3. Analyze the key changes in grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation across different historical periods.
4. Explain the factors that contributed to the spread of English as a global language.
5. Compare and contrast different varieties of English spoken around the world.
6. Evaluate the impact of social, political, and cultural forces on language change.

13 weeks, about 30 hours in total. Yours will differ.

1. Week 1Module 1: Introduction

   • Unit 1: English Language: the Roots; the Language Situation in England before English; the Roman Conquest · 2 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 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..

2. Week 2Module 1: Introduction

   • Unit 3: Influences on the Old English: Religion, The Danish Invasion and the Age of the Vikings · 2 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..

3. Week 3Module 1: Introduction

   • 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 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..

4. Week 4Module 1: Introduction

   • Unit 5: English and French in the 13th Century; the Decline of French; the Rise of the Middle Class; General Adoption of English · 2 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..

5. Week 5Module 2: Middle English

   • Unit 1: Some Characteristics of Middle English: Grammar, Vocabulary, Spelling and Speech Sounds · 2 hours

     Identify changes in Middle English grammar, vocabulary, spelling, and speech sounds.. Analyze the decay of inflections and the establishment of fixed word order..

6. Week 6Module 2: Middle English

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

     Study the rise of Standard English and the spread of the London dialect.. Examine the factors contributing to the development of Standard English..

7. Week 7Module 2: Middle English

   • Unit 3: Early Modern Periods (1500-1750): Some Characteristics; The Renaissance English; Changes in Grammar · 2 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..

8. Week 8Module 2: Middle English

   • Unit 4: The Problem of Spelling; the Inkhorn Controversy; the Vocabulary Question · 2 hours

     Analyze the problem of spelling and the inkhorn controversy.. Examine the vocabulary question and further enrichment of vocabulary..

9. Week 9Module 2: Middle English

   • Unit 5: The Emergence of Dictionaries; Shakespeare and the World of Words; the King James Bible · 2 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..

10. Week 10Module 3: 18th Century English

    • Unit 1: Changes in Pronunciation; the Great Vowel Shift; Some Features of Grammar · 2 hours

      Identify changes in pronunciation, including the Great Vowel Shift.. Examine some features of grammar in the 18th century..

11. Week 11Module 3: 18th Century English

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

      Study the 18th century English, including the proposal for an English Academy.. Examine Johnson's Dictionary and its impact on standardization..

12. Week 12Module 3: 18th Century English

    • Unit 3: The 18th Century Grammarians; the Rise of Prescriptive Grammar · 2 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 hours

      Explore the influences on the 19th century English and beyond.. Examine vocabulary and new developments in the language since 1900..

13. Week 13Module 3: 18th Century English

    • Unit 5: Sources of New Words; the Oxford English Dictionary; the Spelling Reform; Functional Varieties of English · 2 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..