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This course offers an introduction to the earliest stages of English as it emerged as an independent language in the early Middle Ages. Short examples from some of the earliest texts will be used to illustrate the characteristics of Old English. We will examine how some features of the modern language and many so-called "exceptions" can be explained in terms of the earlier language.
Particular attention will be paid to the lexical, syntactical, morphologogical and phonological features of Old English. Students will be asked to acquire a minimal basic vocabulary and to translate Old English texts into either Modern English or German.
The course also offers an introduction to historical linguistics. |
