CHAPTER 5

LANGUAGE AND
HISTORY
Group 1
"LEARNING ANOTHER LANGUAGE IS NOT
LEARNING DIFFERENT WORDS FOR THE
SAME THING BUT LEARNING ANOTHER
WAY TO THINK ABOUT THINGS."

-FLORA LEWIS
ACTIVATION
Direction: Think of four (4) English teachers from
your Elementary years to high school and state
each of their contributions to the enhancement of
your english skills.
 LESSON 1: HISTORICAL
TIMELINE OF NOTEWORTHY
LINGUISTS
Linguistics started to make a mark after Panini
composed his Sanskrit grammar in India in
400B.C. followed by the remarkable linguists of
Greece in the 5 Century Conwards namely,
Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle. The lineages of
linguist that history records are all noteworthy.
However in the field of language and history the
following linguists below are well remembered.
NOTEWORTHY LINGUISTS

ARISTOTLE F. DE SAUSSURE

R. LOWTH N. CHOMSKY
ARISTOTLE
(384-322 B.C.)
 ARISTOTLE
• Aristotle was born in 384 B.C.E in Macedonia, specifically in
Stagira.
• His father was the physician of the Macedonian king, Amyntas.
• At the age of 17, Aristotle entered the academy established by Plato
in Athens.
• He remained at the academy until Plato's death.
• After Plato's death, Aristotle left Athens and lived in Asia Minor and
later in Lesbos.
• Between 343 B.C. and 342 B.C., he was invited by Philip Il of
• Macedonia, Amyntas' son, to teach Alexander, who was 14 years old
at the time.
 ARISTOTLE
• In 336 B.C., Alexander took over the throne and
conquered the entire Greece.
• Aristotle left and established his own school of
philosophy.
• He taught at his school until 323 B.C.
• Alexander died at the age of 32.
• Uncertain of Macedonian protection, Aristotle moved
out of Athens and lived in Chalcis, north of Athens.
• Aristotle died in 322 B.C. from a digestive disease.
 CONTRIBUTION TO LINGUISTICS
•Aristotle's huge contribution to the development of language started when he
demythologized language. He looked at it as an object of rational inquiry, a medium of
communicating and expressing thoughts about anything under the sun. In Ogden and
Richards (1923:11), he explained that the "semiotic triangle" refers to (a) language is
human's means of expression of (b) thoughts that are purposefully connected to (c)
elements present in this world. In other words, he was establishing the relation between
language expressions including written words these words. In his theory of truth, he
provided that the properties of either thoughts and sentences are truth and falsity. He
identified the primary parts of a sentence - the noun and verb, which functioned as subject
and verb in the sentence.
ROBERT LOWTH
(1710-1781)
 ROBERT LOWTH
• Born on November 27, 1710, in Winchester.
• Educated at Winchester School and New College Oxford.
• In his life time, he worked as a Professor of Poetry at the
University of Oxford.
• Lowth was a clergyman after he served as archdeacon of
Winchester.
• Held positions as rector of East Woodhay, prebend of
Durham, Bishop of Saint David's, bishop of London, dean of
the Chapel Royal, and privy councilor.
• Passed away on November 3, 1787.
 CONTRIBUTION TO LINGUISTICS
• In 1762, he published his book titled, " Short Introduction to English Grammar".
• Lowth then earned a reputation as a prescriptivist and that period gave rise to
prescriptivism.
• The explicit rules are laid down as the basis of the imposition on the language
users.
• He was also one of the few grammarians to publish writing about what is right
and wrong in English grammar.
 Comparing the Characteristics of a
PRESCRIPTIVISTS and DESCRIPTIVIST
Grammarian

PRESCRIPTIVIST DESCRIPTIVIST
Prescriptive grammarians are The descriptive grammarian would
judgmental and attempt to change then try to describe how that
linguistic behavior of a particular sentence is produced through
sort and in a particular direction. theorizing about the mental
processes that lead up to the surface
form.
FERDINAND DE
SAUSSURE
(1851-1913)
 FERDINAND DE SAUSSURE
• The Switzerland linguist Ferdinand de Saussure (1857-
1913) is widely acknowledged as the key figure in this
refocusing of interest, and as the founding father of
modern linguistics. Saussure began his career in the Indo-
European historical-comparative tradition, within which
he made a seminal contribution. Contributions of
linguistics. Saussure had a major impact on the
development of linguistic theory in the first half of the
20th century with his notions becoming incorporated in
the central tenets of structural linguistics.
WHAT IS SAUSSURE'S
THEORY OF SIGNS?
According to Saussure (1857-1913), a sign
is composed of the signifier (signifiant),
and the signified (signifié). These cannot
be conceptualized as separate entities but
rather as a mapping from significant
differences in sound to potential (correct)
differential denotation.
SIGNIFIER AND
SIGNIFIED
In his lectures at the University of Geneva,
Saussure argued signs consisted of two parts.
He defined the physical form of the sign,
whether it was written or spoken language, as
the signifier. These shapes and sounds then
signified certain mental concepts to the
audience.
Task 2. Illustration
YOUR CATCHY DESCRIPTION HERE
Draw three objects found around you and
illustrate your understanding of sign,
signifier, and signified.
NOAM CHOMSKY
 NOAM CHOMSKY
• Full name: Avram Noam Chomsky.
• Born in Pennsylvania in 1928.
• Pursued linguistics under Zellig Harris and earned his
doctorate at the University of Pennsylvania.
• Known as the Father of Modern Linguistics, philosopher,
social critic, cognitive scientist, and political activist.
• Started traveling to New York alone at age 13, where he
discovered interesting reading materials and befriended
• Jewish intellectuals.
 NOAM CHOMSKY
• Worked as a Laureate Professor at the University of
Arizona.
• Served as an Institute Professor Emeritus at the
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
• Notable works authored by Chomsky include "The
Logical Structure of Linguistic Theory," "Aspects of the
Theory of Syntax," "Necessary Illusions: Thought Control
in Democratic Societies," and "Syntactic Structures."
 CONTRIBUTION TO LINGUISTICS
As one of the linguistic intellectuals, he introduced the concept of universal grammar and
suggested that human has an ability to ability to learn grammar because the brain has a
Language Acquisition Device (LAD) that automatically works in language acquisition.
Chomsky, who often focused on the language learning of children, popularized this theory since
the 1980s.
He was not convinced that exposure to language alone can fully develop the child's faculty to
acquire a language. Instead, he believed that basic language structures are already wired into the
human brain at birth. Besides, the human language has universal components no matter what
language it is. For instance, the English language has verbs and nouns, and so do other
languages even if the terms being used vary due to language differences. The word 'house' in
English is named as 'Bahay' in the Filipino language. These terms sound and spell the distinctly
from each other yet they belong to one category, they are both nouns. Therefore, language
shares the same universal components of grammar.
Point of View
Do you agree with the theory that
each person has a language
acquisition device (LAD) in his or
her brain?
 Application
A.
Which among the great contributors to the history of language do you find most
helpful to English learner’s? Explain your answer in not less than 250 words
and be guided with the rubric below?

B
Hypothetical question: What do you think could be your contribution as a
linguist in the future development of the English language? Answer in not less
than 250 words and be guided with the rubric below.
 LESSON 2:
Historical Development of the
English Language
(The Darwanian Perspective)
 Introduction

• Today, we will explore the development of the English language from a Darwinian
perspective.

• Darwinian or evolutionary linguistics is a socio-biological approach that views language

as a product of nature and focuses on its biological nature.

• This theory connects evolutionary biology, psychology, anthropology, biolinguistics, and

cognitive linguistics.
 Language Evolution

• Similar to biological species, human language evolves through a modification process.

• Major languages give birth to new languages over time.

• This process can be compared to the concept of natural selection, where successful

language features are passed on and less successful ones fade away.
 The Biological Nature of Language

• Evolutionary linguistics assumes that language is a product of nature.

• It centers on the idea that language has biological foundations in the human brain.

• This perspective is supported by research in evolutionary biology and psychology.

Interdisciplinary Connections

Evolutionary linguistics connects various disciplines:

• Evolutionary biology: Understanding language as an evolutionary adaptation.

• Psychology: Examining the cognitive aspects of language acquisition and processing.
• Anthropology: Investigating the role of language in human culture and social
interaction.
• Biolinguistics: Exploring the biological basis of language in the human brain.
• Cognitive linguistics: Studying the cognitive mechanisms involved in language use.
 Lack of Empirical Evidence

• Currently, there is a lack of empirical data to prove the Darwinian perspective of

language evolution.

• Archaeological traces of language linking biology and human language forms have not

been found.

• The specific origin and development of language from animals to humans remain

unclear.
Darwin's Contribution

• In the late 1830s, Darwin began his inquiry into the origin of language.

• He observed the communicative abilities of animals and their association of sounds with

human words.

• Darwin noted the similarity between animal sounds and certain human utterances and

gestures expressing strong emotions.

• He believed there was an observable interrelatedness between words and sounds,

suggesting imitation of the things signified.

 Darwin's Beliefs

• Darwin acknowledged that language sets humans apart from lower animals.

• However, he emphasized the resemblance between animal and human speech.

• His beliefs were influenced by his extensive knowledge of anthropology, linguistic

pathologies, language learning in children, and animal behavior.

Conclusion

• The Darwinian perspective of language evolution views language as a product of nature

and emphasizes its biological nature.

• While lacking empirical evidence, this approach connects evolutionary biology,

psychology, anthropology, biolinguistics, and cognitive linguistics.

• Darwin's observations and beliefs laid the groundwork for further exploration of

language evolution.
 Application
A.
Do human brains have specific language centers? How about the
animals? Do they have the same language centers comparable to
humans?

B
Do animals have the capacity to use structured language? Do you
think they are rational creatures?
 LESSON 3:

THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE

FAMILY TREE
 Indo – European
Family Tree

This shows the rise of

modern languages
from a common
ancestor
 Application
A.
Create a timeline that presents the order of the languages under the Indo-
European language family.

B
React to the statements “Tracing the family tree of the language
we use today does not make sense anymore. They are no longer
useful, for we could not understand them if they exist.”
 LESSON 4:

OLD, MIDDLE, AND

MODERN ENGLISH
 OLD
ENGLISH
Old English
• Also called Anglo-Saxon, is the earliest recorded form of the English Language.

This period started around 450 A.D. During this time, the

composed the West Germanic settlers

arrived in Southern Britain. They carried
with them some dialects like the
language varieties that produced the
Dutch, Frisian, and German.
Old English

This Germanic influence is prevalent in the vocabulary we use every day such as

come (cuman in Old English), old (eald in Old English), and heart (heorte in Old

Engish).

Irregular verbs were also formed such as drink-drank-drunk. In the same manner,

several Old English pronunciations are kept in today's spellings e.g. knight (Old

English cniht, German Knecht).

Old English
Old English was not fully influenced by the language of the Celts which was widely

spoken by the occupants of the British Isles. Only a few words associated with

geography and wildlife were borrowed.

On the other hand, when Latin was brought to Britain by the Romans and

strengthened by the conversion of the Anglo-Saxons to Christianity, it created a

remarkable event for it served as the basis of the writing system and provided a wide

range of new words (e.g. school and mass).

Old English

Old English was mostly written in Latin complemented by few Germanic letters to

stand for sounds that cannot be produced in Latin. Besides, the settlements of the

Vikings in most parts of the British Isles gave way to the borrowing of additional

vocabulary such as they, get, and sky from the Old Norse. The Old English text is'

prevalent during the start of the Anglo-Saxon's epic, Beowulf (Lohr, 2019).
Old English
Old English
Sample Text from Beowulf
MIDDLE
ENGLISH
Middle English

Middle English language, the vernacular spoken and written in England from about

1100 to about 1500, is the descendant of the Old English language and the ancestor of

Modern English.
History

Early Middle English developed from late Old English in the second half of 11th century. It was spoken

during 12th and 13th centuries. By the second half of 14th century, it became popular as a literary

language. Finally, in the 15th century the Late Middle English started transitioning into Early Modern

English.
Development

Middle English gradually ended the Wessex, as the writing language and emerged as the focal language

for writers and poets. Many regions had their own dialects and there were variety of different writing

styles. It became more prominent in the 14th century, in the 12th and 13th century it was more Anglo-

Norman.
Dialects
It had many dialects in different regions but during 15th century, printing began in England (1470) and

the language started becoming more standardized.

Morphology
The language became more like Modern West Frisian, a Dutch related language than the Germanic,

because of its simplification.

Orthography

All the letters were pronounced in Middle English there were no “silents” but by Chaucer’s time the

final “e” became silent.

The Sound of Middle English
The Sound of Middle English
The Sound of Middle English
Sample Text
MODERN
ENGLISH
Modern English
This period marked the introduction of printing as the first tool for mass production of reading
materials was invented which was brought by William Caxton in England.

This printing press required an agreed-upon language to print,

and a standardized Modern English, based on the London
dialect, was formed.

Modern English soon grew in popularity, and dictionary

creators, writers, lawyers, grammarians, and the government all
began using and sharing this new standardized version of
English.
Invented by Johannes Gutenberg, German goldsmith
Modern English
The main change in Modern English was the vocabulary as it was used for several purposes.

Eg. Translation of written works,

Modern English
The main change in Modern English was the vocabulary as it was used for several purposes.

Eg. Translation of written works,

description of recent scientific works, and

Modern English
The main change in Modern English was the vocabulary as it was used for several purposes.

Eg. Translation of written works,

description of recent scientific works, and

the growing of creative literature.

Modern English
Differences in vocabulary included the introduction of more Latin and Greek words such as

Critic from Greek word krinein which means “judge, decide” ,

Education derived from the Latin term educare which means “bring up, rear, educate” ,

Consciousness from the Latin word conscientia that means “knowledge shared with others” ,

and
Metamorphosis from the Greek word meta (“change”), and morphe (“form”)
Modern English

Modern English was also characterized

by The Great Vowel Shift as people

started to produce long vowels from

the subsequent short vowels.

Modern English
Modern English was also characterized by The Great Vowel Shift as people started to produce

long vowels from the subsequent short vowels.

The American English and British English Split resulted in major phonological changes in

English.
Such as:
● Initial cluster reductions
ex. Knight
Middle- knyght
Modern- nite
Modern English

● The development of non-rhotic accent of England

Ex. Audio
/r/
American accent vs British accent
(Male speaker) (Female Speaker)
Modern English

At present, English is used worldwide as a native tongue, second or foreign language

due to imperial and colonial activity, educational and cultural prestige, and

international business for economic reasons.

Modern English is continually changing and upgrading both its standard and non-

standard varieties.
Modern vs. Middle vs. Old English
 Application
Middle English

A.
Differentiate, in words or phrases, the
three English language eras (Modern,
Middle, and Old) using the Venn
Diagram.

Old English Modern English

THANK YOU FOR
LISTENING!