This interdisciplinary programme encompassing anthropology, genetics, history, language, literature and social history begins with the prehistory of language and theories about its origin. The first step is to the ancestral languages identified in the eighteenth century, with the focus on our own Indo-European group. The route takes in all the significant languages once spoken in Britain, encompassing Celtic variants, forms of Latin, Germanic tribal dialects, Anglo-Saxon, Old Norse and Norman-French. Diversions include the alphabet, modern foreign infiltrations, place names, punctuation, regional dialects and runes. At the end of the journey we consider the global significance of English and its evolution in our lifetimes. Members will be set oral and written tasks and will be expected to read scripts in class (anyone with speech limitation is excused). General knowledge of English history and literature required. Handouts and scripts to print are sent in advance: you will need a printer.
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