Historical Linguistics Modern English

Modern English Where do we get the idea that there’s a “right” way to talk? Late 1600s: Writers wanted uniformity in the language Thought if definitions were fixed, peace would follow Didn’t want language to change Started writing dictionaries Grammar started to be labeled “correct” and “incorrect” to make people conform

Modern English 1700s Middle classes wanted to “speak properly” to rise in status Writers published grammar books, dictionaries, and pronunciation guides These became thought of as the “right” way to talk. Some writers thought unique dialects should be preserved to keep people connected to their identity

Modern English Robert Burns: Scottish Poet—wanted to preserve unique Scottish identity through language. Auld Lang Syne Should auld acquaintance be forgot,  And never brought to mind?  Should auld acquaintance be forgot,  And auld lang syne!  Chorus.-For auld lang syne, my dear,  For auld lang syne.  We'll tak a cup o' kindness yet,  For auld lang syne.  We twa hae run about the braes,  And pou'd the gowans fine;  But we've wander'd mony a weary fit,  Sin' auld lang syne.  For auld, &c. 

Modern English 1800s Industrial Revolution Introduced new words: steampipe, machine, hydraulic, lithograph, wheels, teeth, horsepower; took Greek and Latin words to name new things: biology, paleontology, taxonomy, ethnology, histology, locomotive Dialect became a marker of class. Lower classes and upper classes spoke differently Cockney rhyming slang: a way for people in the slums of London to communicate, “talk dirty” without being understood by outsiders (still used today)

Colonialism At one time or another, Britain had colonies in all of these countries. English either merged with the native languages or completely wiped them out.

Colonialism India Colonized by Britain beginning in the 1600s 100s of native Indian languages At first, British traders had to learn Indian languages introduced new words: bungalow, cashmere, dungarees, bandana, pajamas, cot, shampoo, cash, polo, jungle, khaki, avatar, yoga Eventually, English became the language of power. English still spoken in India today. Gandhi: “To give millions a knowledge of English is to enslave them.”

Colonialism Caribbean “Caribbean” comes from native tribes: Caribs or Canibs 1620s: Colonists pushed natives off the islands to grow tobacco  native languages died Colonists imported slaves from Africa, who picked up English and Portuguese from slave traders Slaves spoke English with influence from African languages Eventually evolved into a unique language for each island, depending on who settled it

Colonialism Some linguistic terms you should know Creole: A distinct language created as a hybrid of two languages—a real language. Has a stable and distinct grammar Taught to children as their native language Haitian Creole, Gullah, Louisiana Creole French, for example Pidgin: A simplified version of a language that develops so people can communicate. Not a “real” language. Patois: Generically, the language of the common people. Usually refers to the creole language spoken by Jamaicans.

Colonialism Australia Created its own dialect even though it didn’t combine with a native language Settled by convicts beginning in 1788 150,000 convicts came to Australia over several years Interacted minimally with native Aborigines Kangaroo, boomerang, wombat, dingo Settlers spoke English dialect of criminal and lower classes Kept words and sounds that died out in England.