History of English

Course Objectives:

This course aims to introduce the students the evolution of English language from its birth until its emergence as a lingua franca of the modern world. This historical perspective to English will include main changes in spellings, vocabulary as well as grammar throughout the different eras of English. An introduction to basic linguistic concepts will also be given, using the evolution of English as an example case

Course Content:

Brief history of British Isles, birth and historical phases of English, evolution of spellings, interaction of English with other languages, evolution of grammar: nouns and verbs, standard English, World Englishes, English as a lingua franca, English-medium instruction.