Posted: January 24th, 2016

Write about your position regarding the study of language change; the comparative approach to language study (possibly with reference to the reconstruction of PIE); the English languages; translation and communication; translating Old English and/or engaging with the original in modern editions and/or in medieval manuscripts.

Write about your position regarding the study of language change; the comparative approach to language study (possibly with reference to the reconstruction of PIE); the English languages; translation and communication; translating Old English and/or engaging with the original in modern editions and/or in medieval manuscripts.
To support your thesis, examine at least ONE primary text from Weeks 1 and 2; and incorporate claims or information from at least THREE secondary sources included in the Weeks 1 and 2 Reading/Viewing Assignments (my lectures count as secondary resources too).
Make sure to incorporate evidence from at least 1 primary text and 3 secondary resources.
Consider how your ability to communicate in modern “standard” English, difficulties you have experienced with “standard” English, and/or your stance regarding the importance of (clear) communication influences the way you think about varieties of English. For this topic, you might take into consideration “Darmok,” Star Trek The Next Generation. Keep in mind that standard English is considered to be one dialect among many valid dialects, and that linguists eschew the hierarchizing of dialects and do not label dialects not designated “standard” as broken or incorrect English. Dialects that are not designated “standard” are typically not departures from or ungrammatical variants of the standard dialect; rather, they develop apart from and alongside the dialect that ends up being designated “standard.”
Make sure to incorporate evidence from at least 1 primary text and 3 secondary resources.