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Past, Present and Future > Modern English > Flashcards

Flashcards in Modern English Deck (14)
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1
Q

Literary texts of this time?

A
  • Shakespeare texts

- King James bible

2
Q

What was the biggest transitional feature from Middle English to Early Modern English

A

THE SOUND SYSTEM: Long vowels undergone extensive alteration

3
Q

What is the main term used to describe the change on long vowels?

A

The Great Vowel Shift (tudor vowel shift)

4
Q

What is the great vowel shift?

A

A change on pronunciation of vowels.

5
Q

What caused the great vowel shift?

A

There is still disagreement between linguists but it’s argued that social factors (spreading of language to neighbourhoods) is one of the most likely causes.

6
Q

What was the most significant event in modern english?

A

Printing

7
Q

How many books were printed in europe?

A

35,000

8
Q

Who first began printing and what did he do to the language?

A

Caxton: he focused on ‘common’ English so that it could be widely recognised.

9
Q

What is the significant thing about the social aspects of this period?

A

Since printing, people have become conscious about what is ‘wrong’ and ‘right’ language: this sparked debates…

descriptivism vs. prescriptivism

10
Q

Rise of Prescriptivists in this period: who can you mention ?

A

Aitchison

11
Q

Who is significant in terms of bible printing?

A

Tyndale

12
Q

What did Tyndale do?

A

First English text to be printed.

13
Q

What is the King James bible?

A

It was a bible that wanted to put together Tyndale and Wycliffe’s versions.

14
Q

What is the two terms related to prescriptivism vs descriptivism?

A

Inkhorn vs purist.