Sound Changes in the History of English (DUH250)
Course description for study year 2024-2025. Please note that changes may occur.
Course code
DUH250
Version
1
Credits (ECTS)
5
Semester tution start
Autumn
Number of semesters
1
Language of instruction
English
Content
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
Exam
The written assignment consists of a set of tasks requiring problem-solving and self-study. In addition to the presentation and assignment, the students should demonstrate their command of the material through active participation in the workshops.
Coursework requirements
Course teacher(s)
Course coordinator:
Merja Riitta StenroosMethod 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.