C1 (blended) History of English

C1 (blended)

How has the language evolved throughout many centuries?

the HISTORY OF ENGLISH

PROJECT DETAILSThis material consists of a collection of texts about the history of the English language and how the language has evolved over the centuries. It includes historical information concerning the origin of English, how some words were formed, and an overall view about language varieties and the Commonwealth. There are EXERCISES which test some aspects of grammar and vocabulary, plus one summary. You don't need to submit them to me as homework, but they are at-home activities I strongly recommend you do as part of your learning progress. In the final activity you have to hand in an opinion piece on Classroom.Objectives of the activities: - to learn about the history of English - to refresh some grammar and vocabulary aspects - to learn to use some expressions in specific contexts - to practice summarizing- to think about how languages evolve

The History of EnglishDeadline: October 19

deadline for all the activities

The History of English

QUIZ

In this short introductory unit we will work on the origins of both the language and the country it originated from. Of course we will be paying attention to the language itself while learning about it. I hope you find it interesting.Let's go through the TIMELINE first.

intro

1066The battle of HastingsNew monarchy

From the 8th century:Viking invasionsLanguage: Old NorseJorvikDanelaw

5th - 6th centuries: settlement in BritainChristianityThe Roman alphabet

From AD 410 New settlersNew languageBig influence on Old English

The Norman Conquest

Vikings

AnglesSaxonsJutes plus others

Germanic tribes

Romans

Up to 400 CE/ADLondiniumHadrian's Wall

timeline

King James Bible in English published in 1611Samuel Johnson’s Dictionary of 1755

Modern History

European UnionBrexitHow has English influenced your life?

Now

17th century:The expansionThe US20th century:The Commonwealth

The Statute of Pleading 1362Printing press at Westminster

A world language

End of Middle AgesRenaissance

French and Latin

NobilityAdministration used French for 300 years!

timeline

Do you recognize this tune?

VIDEO

Years before Germanic-speaking tribes raided what is now England, native peoples were constantly plotting to overthrow the Romans. Watch this short clip in which a group of rebels were analysing the situation while plotting against the Romans. The leader of the group asks his followers “what have the Romans ever done for us?” Listen up for his followers’ answers!

NATIVE PEOPLES

Watch this 5-minute video called “EVOLUTION OF ENGLISH” summarizing the history of the country and with it, the language. It will give you a general idea of how they evolved. Would you like to expand your knowledge? Watch this second video.

AN EVOLVING LANGUAGE

Old EnglishAngles, Saxons, Jutes – and others Christianity and writingNorsemen and NormansDo exercises 1, 2 and 3 corresponding to these sections, and check the answer key.

Art installation at Hadrian's Wall, August 2022

The next section deals with "loanwords". Do you know the meaning of the word "loan"? Click on the light bulb and get more info.

LOANWORDS - the vikings

The Vikings in England The Norman Conquest English versus French The new standard English Do exercise 4 corresponding to these sections, and check the answer key.

THE VIKINGS

English versus Latin The remodelling of words English as a world language Do exercise 5 corresponding to these sections, and check the answer key.

Can you remember these words/phrases from the texts you read?There's a new one, too. See if you can spot it!

the tipping of the balance (in favour of sth)

compared with

namely

striking

slightly

thus

the former ... the latter

died out

a drop in the ocean

language

British, American, Canadian, and many moreThe CommonwealthDo exercise 6 corresponding to these sections, and check the answer key.

varieties of english

The Commonwealth is one of the world’s oldest political associations of states. Its roots go back to the British Empire, when countries around the world were ruled by Britain.At the 1926 Imperial Conference in London, Britain and the Dominions agreed that they were all equal members of a community within the British Empire. They all owed allegiance to the British king or queen, but the United Kingdom did not rule over them. This community was called the British Commonwealth of Nations or just the Commonwealth.King George VI was the first Head of the Commonwealth, and Queen Elizabeth II became Head when he died. But the British king or queen is not automatically Head of the Commonwealth. Commonwealth member countries choose who becomes Head of the Commonwealth. However, at their meeting in April 2018, Commonwealth leaders agreed that Prince Charles should succeed his mother Elizabeth II as head after her death.

THE commonwealth

How about putting -ate endings right once and for all?Read this easy rule.

english versus latin-ATE ENDINGS

After finishing the exercises (well done!!!), write your reflection on any of the aspects you have learnt:- new vocabulary, linkers, expressions- historical details- loanwords- etcWrite about 100 words in a shared document.Deadline: October 19.

Now you can do the last activity as a Classroom task

END OF HISTORY OF ENGLISH