G-301 Class Notes for October 19th

Neil J. Linville

American English and the 19th Century

I. 19th Century English Influences

A. Population increase (more people speaking English)

B. Spread of English world-wide (British Empire very strong)

C. Bilingualism increase (English not interested in learning other

Languages)

D. Literacy spreads (1870 Compulsory Education Act, every child has

Access to schooling. Illiteracy falls sharply, more women

learning.)

E. Education spreads (development of teaching morals and content/

English grammar spreading)

F. Rise of standard English (standards become increasingly important/

Publishing lists of "bad" words.)

G. Communication and technology increase (more people mixing)

H. Democracy grows (more people get right to vote)

I. Commercialism grows (new words developed/ new products and

proper names given to products)

II. North American English Growth

A. Westward movement

B. Interaction with Native Americans

C. Word combinations emerge (skunk cabbage, skunk weed/ Indian Summer,

Indian corn.)

Review of Standardization

1. Selection

2. Codification

3. Elaboration

4. Implementation