Early Modern English Period
Early Modern English was the period of the Renaissance, the revival of learning. What was discovered during this time?
It was discovered that much of the science of the Arabs had been translated from classical Greek and Latin texts.
What was the purpose of borrowing huge numbers of words from Latin into English?
To fill perceived gaps in the language.
Why were dictionaries created?
In response to the fact that so many new words were coming into the language, and to explain new and borrowed words.
What was Johnson's position on the question of fixing language?
Johnson was considerably more objective than the supporters of the academy.
According to the text, why do people in a polished society tend to create new words and combinations?
People in a polished society with leisure to think constantly expand their stock of ideas, leading to the creation of new words and combinations in response to their growing knowledge.
In what century were the modern languages of Europe advocated as a medium of learning, and did English become acceptable in and out of academe?
In the middle of the fifteenth century.
Words such as anachronism, climax, pathetic, system and antithesis were borrowed from...
Greek via Latin or French
Who was the author of A Dictionary of the English Language?
Samuel Johnson
What characterizes Johnson's linguistic change?
In a way that is at once insightful and naive, liberal and elitist, but on the whole very modern in its approach, in comparison to the thoughts of his contemporaries.
What does Johnson suggest about the impact of copiousness of speech on language change?
Copiousness of speech allows for capricious word choices, with some words being preferred and others degraded, contributing to language change.
At the end of the period, scholars were particularly interested in standardizing the language, fixing it for all time in an authoritative state of perfection.
True or False
True
Who was the writer who attempted to rewrite the Bible using only English words?
Sir John Cheke
When was Johnson's dictionary published?
In April 1755
Previously, under what circumstances did the total transformation of language occur?
Conquests and migrations
How does Johnson describe the influence of politeness on language and expressions?
Johnson explains that as politeness increases, certain expressions are deemed too vulgar for delicate society, leading to the adoption of new phrases that may eventually replace older ones.
The Early Modern English period is also known as...
The Age of Linguistic Anxiety
Who were accused of using "inkwell terms"?
The writers who borrowed judiciously and were careful to document the need for this practice in their writings.
What was the purpose of Johnson's dictionary?
Its original purpose was to 'fix' the language and establish a standard for the use of words and their spelling.
What social aspect corrupts the language?
Commerce, however lucrative, as it depraves the manners, corrupts the language.
What is considered remarkable about Samuel Johnson's understanding of language change in the text?
The text considers Samuel Johnson's transition from believing he could fix the English language to understanding its complexities remarkable.
What was the need of the speakers during this period?
To regulate and control language.
The words confiscate, congratulate, and exonerate were based on French infinitives. True or False?
False, they were based on the Latin past participle (confiscatus).
Who described Johnson's dictionary as 'insular, prescriptive, and unscientific'?
Robert Burchfield
What was the term used to refer to the mingled dialect that served the traffickers in the Mediterranean and Indian coasts?
Jargon
What are some potential reasons mentioned in the text for why an English academy was never founded?
The text suggests that changes in attitude, a dose of realism, and the influence of empiricism inspired by Francis Bacon might be reasons why an English academy was never established.