Modern English Language (1500-present)

LELA70171 Modern English Language (1500-present) 15 Semester 2 Postgraduate Taught Level 4 Linguistics & English Language 1 FHEQ level (Framework for Higher Education Qualifications) ' Masters/Integrated Masters P4 ' European Credit Transfer & Accumulation System Rating : 7.5 <span style="font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;">This course examines the most recent historical period of English. We briefly cover the relevant external history of English speakers since 1500 and then look in detail at selected topics in lexis (especially semantic change), syntax, and morphology. Students do their own research on real texts, including working with unedited eighteenth-century letters held in the John Rylands Library, as well as using the OED and corpora such as ARCHER and COHA. <span style="font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;">This course examines the most recent historical period of English. We briefly cover the relevant external history of English speakers since 1500 and then look in detail at selected topics in lexis (especially semantic change), syntax, and morphology. Students do their own research on real texts, including working with unedited eighteenth-century letters held in the John Rylands Library, as well as using the OED and corpora such as ARCHER and COHA. The principal aims of the course unit are as follows:<ul> <li> to examine the external history of the English language in the last 500 years;</li> <li> to examine some of the principal linguistic changes in standard Englishes during this period, including selected topics in syntax, lexis, phonology and word-formation;</li> <li> to give students the opportunity to have hands-on experience in editing (and analysing) authentic historical language data;</li> <li> to emphasise descriptive adequacy.</li></ul> At the end of this course, students are expected to have acquired the intellectual, practical and transferrable skills listed below. By the end of this course students acquire:<ul> <li> a thorough knowledge of the external history of the language over the last 500 years;</li> <li> a thorough knowledge of some of the principal linguistic changes in standard Englishes during this period;</li> <li> a critical awareness of current methods in data collection and analysis.</li></ul>In so doing students will acquire a deeper understanding of descriptive linguistic theory. Moreover, students are expected to acquire the ability to read, understand, and draw appropriate conclusions from scientific publications in the field of (historical) linguistics. By the end of this course students will be able to:·         (professionally) handle real textual material;·         construct and refine a detailed argument;·         recognise and critically evaluate flaws in arguments (in their own reports as well as in existing scientific literature);and assess the merits of contrasting explanations. By the end of this course students will be able to:·         analyse real textual examples of the language during the period studied and conduct authentic corpus research;·         use the descriptive methods developed in the course unit;·         speak and write about genuine examples of language at length and in detail;·         correctly and fluently use scholarly referencing;write advanced reports of linguistic research (using the conventions for writing about linguistic topics). By the end of this course students will:·         enhance their abilities in written expression, in particular by the emphasis on the understanding of textual material;·         have developed advanced skills of successful self-directed study and learning, with appropriate time-management;·         have improved their skills in analytical thinking and adopt a critical approach to linguistic evidence and existing scholarly studies;·         have been trained in written and oral expression, as well as accuracy in transcription;have worked cooperatively in groups. This course offers training in the above-listed transferrable skills, which are generally sought for by employers. Students will be asked to tackle questions by manipulating authentic data. The results of their analyses should be presented in several clear, detailed, written reports. Furthermore, students will be familiarised with and trained in their analytical and IT-skills, which are considered key skills for future employment. <table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="width:664px;"> <table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="width:116px;height:17px;"> Week</td> <td style="width:515px;height:17px;"> Lecture and data work</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width:116px;height:67px;"> 1</td> <td style="width:515px;height:67px;"> Introduction <ul> <li> external history</li> <li> sources of evidence</li> </ul> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width:116px;height:50px;"> 2</td> <td style="width:515px;height:50px;"> Lexis <ul> <li> inheritance and borrowing</li> </ul> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width:116px;height:51px;"> 3</td> <td style="width:515px;height:51px;"> Lexis <ul> <li> semantic change (1)</li> </ul> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width:116px;height:50px;"> 4</td> <td style="width:515px;height:50px;"> Lexis <ul> <li> semantic change (2)</li> </ul> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width:116px;height:50px;"> 5</td> <td style="width:515px;height:50px;"> Editing <ul> <li> Hamilton letters and editing</li> </ul> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width:116px;height:68px;"> 6</td> <td style="width:515px;height:68px;"> Syntax <ul> <li> auxiliaries</li> <li> negation</li> </ul> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width:116px;height:50px;"> 7</td> <td style="width:515px;height:50px;"> Syntax <ul> <li> modals</li> </ul> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width:116px;height:50px;"> 8</td> <td style="width:515px;height:50px;"> Syntax <ul> <li> perfect, progressive, and passive</li> </ul> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width:116px;height:51px;"> 9</td> <td style="width:515px;height:51px;"> Morphology <ul> <li> inflections</li> <li> categories</li> </ul> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width:116px;height:67px;"> 10</td> <td style="width:515px;height:67px;"> Phonology <ul> <li> Great vowel shift</li> <li> Sound change and spelling</li> </ul> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width:116px;height:50px;"> 11</td> <td style="width:515px;height:50px;"> Conclusion-          Recent and current change <ul> <li> Overview of the course</li> </ul> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>  </td> </tr> </tbody></table>  <ul> <li> 1 × two-hour lecture per week</li> <li> A number of  1-hour seminars (depending on need and size of group)</li> <li> one dedicated consultation hour per week</li></ul> 0 Other 100% Presentation or written essay, 1,000 words, 20%In-depth study of linguistic features, 3,000 words, 80% <ul> <li>  feedback during class participation;</li> <li> peer feedback on letter transcription;</li> <li> additional one-to-one feedback (during consultation hours or by making an appointment).</li></ul> Introductory course into History of English or equivalent independent reading (contact course convenor if in doubt)  Y Barber, Charles, Joan C. Beal & Philip A. Shaw. 2009. The English language:  A historical introduction, 2nd edn (Cambridge Approaches to Linguistics). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.Beal, Joan C. 2004. English in modern times:  1700-1945. London: Arnold.Crystal, David. 2003. The Cambridge encyclopedia of the English language, 2nd edn. Cambridge, etc: Cambridge University Press.Hogg, Richard M. & David Denison (eds.). 2006 [paperback 2008]. A history of the English language. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.Lass, Roger (ed.) 1999. The Cambridge history of the English language, 6 vols, vol. 3, 1476-1776. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.Nevalainen, Terttu. 2006. An Introduction to Early Modern English (Edinburgh Textbooks on the English Language). Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press.Romaine, Suzanne (ed.) 1998. The Cambridge history of the English language, 6 vols, vol. 4, 1776-1997. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.Tieken-Boon van Ostade, Ingrid. 2009. An introduction to Late Modern English (Edinburgh Textbooks on the English Language). Edinburgh: Edinburgh. (plus further readings specified from week to week) 0 0 125