Admission requirements
A BA course in English linguistics and in (English) historical linguistics.
Description
This course focuses on language change in the history of the English language. Discussing several case studies exemplifying syntactic, morphological and semantic change, we examine which processes of change are at work, including reanalysis, analogy and grammaticalization. The course provides insight into the historical reasons how and why the lexical and grammatical features of English deviate from those of related languages such as Dutch, which helps to explain why some linguistic features are notoriously difficult for pupils in Dutch classrooms. We will also pay attention to a number of approaches and perspectives in the field of (English) historical linguistics, as well as to the corpus method, with some hands-on exercises.
Course objectives
The course aims to familiarize students with
a number of key syntactic, morphological and semantic changes that took place in the history of the English language
some important descriptive methods and theoretical approaches used in the field of (English) historical linguistics
the use of (digital) historical corpora
By the end of the course, students will be able to
identify syntactic, morphological and semantic changes in the history of the English language
recognize processes that are at work in linguistic change
assess different descriptive methods and theoretical approaches used in the field of (English) historical linguistics
draw appropriate conclusions from linguistic evidence of linguistic change as found in historical texts and corpora
critically assess primary research literature
construct an argument and present research findings with bearing on a topic in historical linguistics
For students in the MA-education programme, the knowledge gained in this course about the syntactic, morphological and semantic features of historical varieties of English, as well as the knowledge gained about how changes in the history of English have shaped the language towards its current form, are foundational to instructing English in the Dutch classroom situation.
Timetable
The timetables are available through My Timetable.
Mode of instruction
Seminar
Assessment method
Assessment
In-term oral contribution to class (coordination, participation and presentation), and an end-of-term written essay. Students in the MA-education programme are expected to address
an issue about the history of English that is relevant to teaching English in a classroom situation or
an aspect of English grammar that has proven notoriously difficult for Dutch pupils
Weighing
Oral contribution: 30%
Written essay: 70%
NB A minimum mark of 5.5 is required for the written essay.
Resit
The essay must be rewritten if the mark is lower than 5.5. There is no resit for the presentation.
Inspection and feedback
How and when an essay review will take place will be disclosed together with the publication of the course results at the latest. If a student requests a review within 30 days after publication of the course results, an essay review will be organized.
Reading list
Brinton, L. (ed.). (2017). English historical linguistics: Approaches and perspectives. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
A selection of articles/book chapters (to be announced)
Other study materials (course programme, essay guidelines, etc.) and course-related announcements will be made available in Brightspace.
Registration
Enrolment through My Studymap is mandatory.
General information about course and exam enrolment is available on the website.
Contact
For substantive questions, contact the lecturer listed in the right information bar.
For questions about enrolment, admission, etc, contact the Education Administration Office: Reuvensplaats
Remarks
Not applicable