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American English 2. 11 September 2014 Pétur Knútsson. Baugh § 243 p.360 Archaisms. The language of the first British settlers in America was Early Modern English Since them, both British and American English have developed and diverged. A and B diverge.
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American English 2 11 September 2014 Pétur Knútsson
Baugh § 243 p.360 Archaisms • The language of the first British settlers in America was Early Modern English • Since them, both British and American English have developed and diverged. • A and B diverge. • A recognises some of the differences as archaic forms of his own variety. • Assumes that others are (in fact they are innovations) • B does the same.
Baugh § 243 p.360 Archaisms Most of Baugh’s examples are thoroughly suspect: • rhoticism • “flat a” - also in Britain • But o-unrounding is an American innovation! • Vocabulary: • mad, sick, rare (meat) , platter, gotten • fortnight? • fall/autumn? (ME: “hervest”. Thus “autumn” is earlier!)
Languages as tress ? (shades of Deleuze and Guattari) • Other reasons for the preservation of Icelandi inflections .......
Baugh § 242 p.356 Uniformity • The language of the first British settlers in America was Early Modern English • Complete lack of mutual intelligibility • “Better English”
