Билет №1

1.Синхроническое и диахроническое

This outline history covers the main events in the historical development of the English language. The history of it’s phonetic structure, spelling the evolution of its grammatical system. The growth of its vocabulary & also the changing historical conditions of English speaking communities relevant to English history. In studying modern English we regard the language as fixed in time & describe each linguistic level synchronically, taking no account of the origin of present day features and their tendency to change.

The synchronic approach can be contrasted to the diachronic approach. When considered diachronically, every linguistic fact is interpreted as a stage or step in the never-ending evolution of language. Every living language changes through time. It’s natural that no records of linguistic changes have ever been kept.

The history of the English language has been reconstructed on the basis of written records of different periods. The earliest extant written text in English are dated in the 7th century. The earliest records in other Germanic languages go back to the 3rd & 4th c. The development of English however began a long time before it was first recorded. In order to say where the English language came from one must get acquainted with some facts of pre-written history of Germany group. But the bulk of our knowledge comes from scientific study of extend text.

18. Early m.E. Dialects

The use of foreign language as a state one, the diversity of the dialects & the decline of the written form of English created a situation, extremely favorable for increased variation & for more intensive linguistic change. The regional M.E. dialect had developed from respective O.E. dialects.

1. The southern group included the Kentish & the South-Western dialects

Kentish was a dialect descendant of the O.E. dialect known by the same name. The south-Western group was a continuation of the O.E. Saxon dialects. Not only west Saxon, but also East Saxon. The East Saxon dialect wasn’t prominent in O.E., but became more important in Early M.E. since it made the basis of the dialect of London in the 12th & 13th centuries.

2. The group of Midlands. The central group

Corresponding to the O.E. Mercian dialect is divided into West-Midland as 2 main areas. In Middle English the Midland area became more diversified linguistically than the O.E. Mercian kingdom occupying approximately the same territory.

3. The North dialects.

Had developed from O.E. Northumbrian. In early middle English the Northern dialects included several provincial dialects. For example the Lancashire dialects and what later became known as Scottish.

In the course of Early M.E., the area of the English language in the British Isles grew. The former Celtic kingdoms fell under Norman rule. Wales was subjugated in the late 13th century.

In the late 12th century the English made their first attempt to conquer island. The invaders settled among the Irish and were soon assimilated. Though part of Ireland was ruled from England, the country remained divided & had little contact with England. The English language was used there alongside Celtic languages, Irish & Welsh were influenced by Celtic.

The Early dialectic division was preserved in the succeeding centuries, but in late M.E. the linguistic situation changed. In early M.E. while the main & state language was French, the local dialects were relatively equal. In late M.E. when English had been reestablished as the main language of administration & writing, one of the regional dialects, the London dialect, prevailed one another.

Билет №2