1.2 Variation Over Time

• Language variation over time refers to the gradual changes that occur in a language across different historical periods
• In Old English, "þū" was used as a singular familiar pronoun
• What languages did English borrow words from during the Middle English period?

  Latin and French
• The key historical periods in language development include Old English, Middle English, Early Modern English, and Modern English
• What characterizes Early Modern English?

  Standardization of spelling
• Isolated communities are more likely to retain older forms of language.

  True
• Place the key historical periods in chronological order:

  1️⃣ Old English

  2️⃣ Middle English

  3️⃣ Early Modern English

  4️⃣ Modern English
• Old English vocabulary was primarily based on Germanic origins.


  True
• Arrange the historical periods of English in chronological order:

  1️⃣ Old English

  2️⃣ Middle English

  3️⃣ Early Modern English

  4️⃣ Modern English
• Geographical location can lead to regional variations in vocabulary
• What grammatical change occurred in Middle English with the replacement of Old English inflections?

  Use of function words
• What is the term for language variation over time?

  Diachronic variation
• Diachronic variation involves alterations in grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, and semantics
• When did the Old English period begin?

  450
• Modern English is characterized by further simplification of grammar
• Immigration introduces new languages and phrases, enriching a community's vocabulary
• What Old English pronoun meant "you" in the plural or formal sense?

  ġē
• What are the key historical periods in English language development?

  Old, Middle, Early Modern, Modern
• Match the historical period with its key feature:

  Old English ↔️ Fully inflectional grammar

  Middle English ↔️ French borrowing

  Early Modern English ↔️ Standardization of spelling

  Modern English ↔️ Global vocabulary
• Social and cultural factors can influence a language's grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, and semantics.

  True
• Modern English grammar is characterized by simplified structures and fixed word order
• Language variation over time only affects vocabulary and grammar.

  False
• Old English had fewer inflectional endings than Modern English.

  False
• The pronoun "you" in Modern English replaced both "þū" and "ġē" from Old English.


  True
• Extensive borrowing from French occurred during the Middle English period.


  True
• What social and cultural factors influence language variation over time?

  Social class, geography, immigration
• Coastal cities often have more diverse lexicons due to trade interactions.


  True
• Old English used the pronoun "þū" for singular and familiar use, while "ġē" was used for plural or formal situations
• The Old English period, from 450 to 1100, was characterized by fully inflectional grammar
• What are some social and cultural factors that influence language variation?

  Social class, location, immigration
• Match the historical period with its characteristic change in grammar or vocabulary:

  Old English ↔️ Highly inflectional grammar

  Middle English ↔️ Reduction in inflectional endings

  Early Modern English ↔️ Standardization of spelling

  Modern English ↔️ Simplified grammar
• Modern English vocabulary includes loanwords from various languages.


  True