In the family tree of languages, what is the first cousin once removed of English and how many of our words did we borrow from it? What was the language like before the Vikings, the French, and enthusiastic Classicists made their marks? And what are the rules of conversation you use when discussing it all? ELL 2A dusts off the photo albums in the attic of the English language, inventories its word-stock, and asks how we pick and choose what to say and when.

The three strands of this course examine how speakers of English employ melody and rhythm to give colour to their speech, and how conversation is shaped by the circumstances and intentions of its participants; describe the features and deep history of English words; and trace the earliest forms of the language through texts, objects, and artefacts.

*Course content subject to change