https://www.uva.nl/en/profile/f/i/o.c.m.fischer/o.c.m.fischer.html
ECLASS:
> Participants will receive a link for an e-class & dropbox.
How did English change?:
A basic course in Old English language and the circumstances that led to its modern appearance
The idea of the five-day course is to give students insight into the fundamental principles and methods of historical linguistics, in particular the principles and patterns of language change and grammar change, by learning Old English and observing changes that occurred between Old English and the present day. This includes a reasonable grasp of Old English lexis, morpho-syntax (phonology will be dealt with in Donka Minkova’s class), so as to enable students to read, translate and appreciate the structure of Old English texts, and the essentially oral nature of Old English discourse. Some attention will also be paid to the historical and cultural background of the Old English period that helped shape the language. In general, the course will enable the students to gain an understanding of why today's English is the way it is. It will also help students to read Old English literature with more insight since the student will become aware of the linguistic particularities of English in that historical period.
In the class itself, I will help students to get acquainted with the actual structure of Old English, concentrating on the characteristics of its morphology and syntax.
Study material and costs
- Course syllabus and glossary available on E-class
- Baker, P. S (2012). Introduction to Old English, 3rd ed. Wiley-Blackwell. Available for purchase online or in bookshops (also on Moodle).
- Barber et al. (2009) The English Language. A historical introduction.pdf available on Moodle
- Bibliography available on E-class
