History of the English language
What is the earliest historical form of English called? Beowulf was written in that form of English!
Old English
Explain the difference betweeen "to learn" and "to teach"
To learn: at lære (noget)
to teach: at undervise
What do "hath" and "doth" (Early Modern English) mean in Modern English
has and does
When Americans say "elevator", what do the Brits say?
lift
What was the purpose of the first lingua franca?
It was a language developped to make it easier to trade with people in the Mediterranean who spoke different languages.
In what centuries did the English people speak the historical form of English called Middle English?
1066 until the late 15th century (The High and Late Middle Ages)
Explain the difference between the word costumer and customer
customer: en kunde i fx en butik
costumer: en der laver kostume til fx teater
What does the word "thou" in Early Modern English mean in Modern English?
you
When an Australian says Brekkie he means...
Breakfast
What is the definition of a lingua franca today?
It's a common language that facilitates communication or trade between people who speak different native languages
Who is the most famous English author who wrote in Early Modern English?
William Shakespeare
Explain the difference between their og there
their: deres
there: der
What does the following sentence in the Jamaican variant of English mean in Standard English?
I feel like me heart gwine burs'
I feel like my heart will burst
What do many Indians refer to when they say chai?
tea
What is THE worldwide Lingua Franca today?
English
How was the English language at first spread around the world?
Through the colonization
explain the difference between its og it's
its: dens/dets/sin/sit
it's: det er
What does the following line from Romeo and Juliet mean in Moderne English:
But, soft! what light through yonder window breaks?
But wait — what’s that light coming from that window?
What could and English speaking South African refer to when he says "Robot"?
a traffic light
What other factors than the British Colonization are the reason why English is the worldwide Lingua Franca today?
The the role of the US military
What is an English variant?
The way a native English speaker speaks the language using a vocabulary, grammar and pronuciation that differ from Standard English.
Explain the difference between "to lend" and "to borrow"
to lend: at låne (ud)
to borrow: låne (være modtager af lånet)
How would you translate the sentence: "þæt wæs god cynin" from Old English into Modern English?
That was a good king!
What does the Irish expression céilí mean?
a fun gathering with music and dancing
What role has the globalization played in making English the primary Lingua Franca today?
Today the English language has spread through music and radio, film, television and sports, the internet, aviation and tourism as a part of the globalization process