Sound Changes in the History of English (DUH250)

Content

The course deals with the evolution of the English sound system, tracing it from Common Germanic. Major dialectal variation is considered and specific debates and problem areas are selected for discussion. Such areas may include all or some of the following: the Old English diphthongs, the voicing of initial fricatives, i-mutation, second fronting, h-dropping, the Great Vowel Shift and quantitative changes. Basic theoretical assumptions and problems relating to sound change are discussed, including problems of evidence and explanation. The course includes a substantial element of student participation.

Learning outcome

By the end of the course, the student will gain knowledge of:

• The major phonological developments that distinguish English from other Germanic languages and that distinguish early English dialects from one another

• The chronology of the major phonological developments between Common Germanic and Early Modern English

• The main controversies about the evolution of the English sound system in modern scholarship

• The particular problems in interpreting the evidence for sound systems and sound change in historical periods

• Some main theories of sound change

• The relationship between traditional philology and linguistic theory

Skills:

• Understand how developments in linguistic theory have changed views of sound change

• Use appropriate notation to indicate sound changes

• Demonstrate how postulated (pre)historic sound-changes explain the actual forms found

• Discuss and problematize the dating and ordering of sound changes

• Discuss well-known theories and controversies about the major phonological changes in the history of English

• Make informed and critical comments on the evidence for specific historical sound changes

General competences:

• Evaluate spelling variation as phonological evidence

• Carry out research in historical English phonology on an informed basis

Required prerequisite knowledge

Recommended prerequisites

To benefit from the course, the participant needs to have a basic knowledge of linguistic concepts and terms, especially those pertaining to phonology. Prior knowledge of the history of English and/or historical linguistics is also highly desirable.

Exam

Coursework requirements

Attendance at the sessions is obligatory. A student who is absent from 25% or more of the sessions will not be allowed to pass the course. The student has to be present for at least 2/3 of each session for attendance to be recorded.

Course teacher(s)

Course coordinator:

Method of work

The taught part of the course comprises a series of workshops, organized as nine three-hour sessions in total. The sessions form two intensive study periods (5+4 sessions) two weeks apart. The candidates are expected to prepare for the course in advance and to work on their assignments during the two-week break. Presentations may be held either in the first or second teaching period, after agreement with the instructor. Participants from outside Stavanger may take the second part as an online/self-study course. Under exceptional circumstances (such as an epidemic), parts or whole of the course may be carried out online for everyone.

The language of the course is English.

Open for

Students enrolled in a doctoral programme.

Course assessment

Literature