Overview and History of the English Language
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Questions and Answers

In the sentence, 'The cat sat on the mat,' what part of speech is the word 'on'?

  • Adverb
  • Article
  • Conjunction
  • Preposition (correct)

Which historical influence is MOST evident in English words related to government and law?

  • Greek
  • Germanic
  • Latin
  • French (correct)

Received Pronunciation (RP) is MOST closely associated with which dialect of English?

  • American English
  • Canadian English
  • British English (correct)
  • Australian English

Considering possible reasons for English spelling inconsistencies, which factor is the MOST significant contributor?

<p>Historical changes and language influences. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which characteristic distinguishes Canadian English from both British and American English?

<p>A blend of British and American English features alongside unique elements (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

When teaching English as a Second Language (ESL), what aspect is considered important alongside grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation?

<p>Cultural awareness and understanding. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant effect of English becoming a global lingua franca?

<p>Facilitated international communication and cultural exchange (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why does the widespread use of English raise concerns about linguistic diversity?

<p>Because it may lead to the decline and loss of other languages. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which historical event had the most significant impact on the transition from Old English to Middle English?

<p>The Norman Conquest of 1066, which introduced Norman French influences. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How did the British Empire MOST influence the development of Modern English?

<p>By diffusing the English language to various parts of the world, leading to diverse dialects. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which characteristic of English grammar distinguishes it as an SVO language?

<p>The typical sentence structure follows a Subject-Verb-Object sequence. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why is stress considered a crucial element in English phonology?

<p>It helps differentiate meanings and influences pronunciation patterns. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role did the printing press play in the development of Early Modern English?

<p>It facilitated the large-scale standardization and dissemination of the English language. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the inflectional characteristics of English compared to other languages?

<p>English is known for its relative lack of inflection compared to many other languages. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How did the influence of Norman French MOST change English during the Middle English period?

<p>It caused a significant increase in vocabulary, particularly in areas like law and cuisine. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following features of English phonology contributes MOST to variations in pronunciation across different dialects?

<p>A relatively large number of vowel sounds that vary between dialects. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

What is English?

A West Germanic language originating from Anglo-Saxon kingdoms.

Languages with more native speakers than English?

Mandarin Chinese and Spanish.

What is Old English?

A language stage from c. 450-1150 AD, with complex inflections and Germanic vocabulary.

What is Middle English?

A language stage from c. 1150-1500 AD, influenced by Norman French after 1066.

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What is Early Modern English?

A language stage from c. 1500-1800 AD, marked by standardization and Shakespeare.

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What is Modern English?

A language stage from c. 1800-present, with global spread and dialectal variations.

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What is English phonology?

The sound system of English, including vowels, consonants, stress, and intonation.

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What is English grammar?

Involves sentence structure and word classes; English is an SVO language.

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Prepositions

Words indicating relationships between elements in a sentence.

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Conjunctions

Words that connect words, phrases, or clauses.

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Articles (grammar)

Words (a, an, the) specifying if a noun is definite or indefinite.

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Received Pronunciation (RP)

A standard accent of British English.

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American English

The dominant dialect in the United States, and has regional variations.

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Latin Alphabet

English uses this alphabet which consists of 26 letters.

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English Literature

Literary works written in the English language over time.

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English as a Lingua Franca

English used globally for business, science, and diplomacy.

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Study Notes

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Description

Explore the origins and evolution of English, a West Germanic language. From its Anglo-Saxon roots to its global prominence, discover key historical periods like Old English and Middle English. Learn about its vast vocabulary and simplified structure.

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