1B

• Identify word class and what the spelling tells us about language change with reason for the language change
• You will be asked about inconsistencies in spelling for the same word in the same text, or about a single word that is representative of archaic/old English spelling
• 1 mark for identifying word class and/or specific variation, and 1 mark for giving reason for spelling changes if relevant from IA
• Possible answers

  • Prior to standardisation
  • Changes in lexicon over time
  • Archaic language
  • Obsolete language
  • Changes in meaning
  • Before publication of Dr Johnson's Dictionary 1755
  • Example of spelling inconsistencies
• Answer should be formed:

  • The adjective 'broun/brown' demonstrates a phonetic spelling with the writer using spelling inconsistency due to the influence of French as the phonetic spelling substitutes the English vowel sound -ow for the English vowel sound -ou
  • The noun 'coffin' demonstrates the semantic process of narrowing as over time this noun has taken on a more specific meaning in Present Day English
  • 'Wee/we' are pronouns and the irregularity of spelling may be because the text was written before Johnson's 1755 dictionary; therefore it is prestandardised
• Answers should be formed:

  The WORD CLASS QUOTE demonstrates WHAT THE SPELLING TELLS US ABOUT LANGUAGE CHANGE and THE REASON FOR THE LANGUAGE CHANGE
• Semantic changes:

  • Semantic shift
  • Semantic narrowing
  • Semantic broadening
  • (semantic) pejoration
  • (semantic) amelioration
• Morphology changes:

  • Affixation
  • Compounding
  • Blending
• Morphology


  Changes in formation