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History Of English Language Question Paper

History Of English Language

Course:Bachelor Of Education Science

Institution: Kabarak University question papers

Exam Year:2011

COURSE CODE: ENG 120
COURSE TITLE: HISTORY OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE

INSTRUCTIONS:
Answer question ONE and any other TWO questions.

Question 1
a). Why is there still a problem in demarcating languages on purely linguistics terms?
(4marks)
b).i) Sir William Jones observations is important in history of the English. Explain.
(5marks)
ii). English has gained global recognition because of its wide range of uses. What is the future
of English? (5marks)
c). i) Old English is sometimes described as the period of full inflections. Use examples to
explain any three salient features that characterize this phase. (6marks)
ii). Non-native forms of English began in England and spread around the world. Examine the
role of non-native varieties of English. (4marks)
d). Native and non-native speakers view English as a worldwide language in terms of usage.
With appropriate examples describe English language as;
i). Native Language
ii).Foreign language
iii).Second language. (6marks)
Question 2
a). All living languages change; some changes are spontaneous while others are gradual.
State and explain any five causes of language change. (10marks)
b). Shakespearean phase is fundamental in the History the English language. Examine any
five features that characterize this phase. (10marks)
Question 3
a). Use examples to distinguish British and American English in terms of the following;
i). Pronunciation differences.
ii). Spelling differences.
iii). Vocabulary differences.
iv). Grammatical differences. (15marks)
b). Comparative method aims at reconstructing original forms in common ancestral language
from at least two languages. Explain any two principles this method uses.
(5marks)
Question 4
a).Modern English is not the language of the early inhabitants of England. With appropriate
examples, account for the genesis of the English language from the Celtic settlement in the
British Isles. (12marks)
b). i). What do you understand by the term ‘standard English’? (2marks)
ii). Standard English continues to be valued even in the face of many other dialects of
English. Give three reasons for this. (6marks)

History Of English Language Question Paper

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