Anotace
LECTURE:
OBJECTIVES
The course seeks to present the English language both as a dynamic organism with a structural history of its own and a mirror reflecting much of the past of its speakers. Individual topics trace the origin and development of forms and functions which eventually gave rise to Modern English.
PROCEDURE
The lecture will be combined with a seminar based on directed readings of selected texts. Lecture topics include: Aims and Methods of Historical Linguistics, Change in Language; The Germanic; Old English; Old English and Anglo-Saxon England; Norsemen and Normans; Middle English; Early Modern English.
MATERIAL
Topic-related worksheets
Barber, Ch., The Story of Language, 1964
Barber, Ch., The English Language: A Historical Introduction, 1993
Baugh, A.C., Cable T., A History of the English Language, 1992
Berndt, R., A History of the English Language, 1984
Vachek, J., Historical Development of English, 1970
ASSESSMENT
Written and oral examination; knowledge of the topics and problems discussed is geared to the requirements of the B.A.-Level Exam (postupová zkouška).
SEMINAR:
NOTE
This seminar is geared to the lecture History of the English Language.
OBJECTIVE
The seminar provides readings and discussions aimed to increase the students' understanding of the major historical forces shaping the development of English. The language in texts of various periods (one text per week) is probed for its forms and functions in relation to contemporary English.
MATERIALS
Relevant texts and worksheets will be available at the beginning of the academic year/Semester.
ASSESSMENT
Credit on the basis of attendance, course work and a concluding test.