History of English: Between form and function

Timetable

1. Data, methods, periodisation

2. Linguistic change

3. Proto-Indo-European and Proto-Germanic

4. Old English

5. Multilingualism

6. Middle English

7. Print and literacy

8. Early Modern English

9. Historical sociolinguistics

10. English language in British colonies

11. Late Modern English

12. World Engilshes

13. Latest developments in the English language

Module aim (aims)

- acquainting students with core concepts related to the development of English from its pre-Indo-European roots to World Englishes 

- helping students discover links between social and civilisational changes and the evolution of the English language over time

- familiarising students with sources (documentary, material, visual) which provide knowledge about the earliest stages of English

- helping students identify and explain relationships between the form of a language and its functions in various historical periods 

Pre-requisites in terms of knowledge, skills and social competences (where relevant)

B2/C1 level of English

Syllabus

The course will proceed as weekly meetings, each devoted to a different aspect of the pre-history and history of English. Students will participate in in-class discussions, interpretations of original historical documentation and will engage in problem-solving in response to a modern and/ or historical linguistic problem put forward by the course instructor.

Throughout the semester students will be required to perform obligatory online activities (available from WA Moodle platform), which combine problem-solving, data interpretation and self-reflection work. At the end of the course students will prove their understanding of the discussed phenomena in an oral interview with the instructor.

Reading list

Obligatory:

1. Hogg, Richard. 2002. An introduction to Old English. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press.
2. Smith, Jeremy & Simon Horobin. 2002. An introduction to Middle English. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press.
3. Nevalainen, Terttu. 2006. An introduction to Early Modern English. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press
4. Tieken-Boon van Ostade, Ingrid. 2009. An introduction to Late Modern English. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press

Supplementary:

1. Algeo, John. 2004. Problems in the origins and development of the English language (5th edition). Wadsworth Publ.
2. Algeo, John. 2010. The origins and development of the English language (6th edition). Boston: Wadsworth.
3. Barber, Charles Laurence. 1997. Early Modern English. Edynburg: Edinburgh University Press.
4. Baugh, C.A. & Thomas Cable. 1993. A history of the English language. Oxon: Routledge
5. Fisiak, Jacek. 1995. An outline history of English. Poznan: SAWW.
6. Millward, Celia M. 1989. A biography of the English language. Fort Worth: Harcourt, Brace, Jovanowich