Vorlesung The Cultural History of English

This series of lectures will be concerned with the development and present-day distribution of the English language throughout the anglophone world with particular emphasis on the different cultural scenarios in which the language is found, both historically and at present. Starting with the situation in the early medieval period when the English language developed in southern and central England, the course will then look at the transition from Old to Middle English in the later Middle Ages. After this, the upheaval of the Renaissance will be considered and the effect which it had on language use. This leads then to the geographical spread of English throughout the entire world due to the foundation of the British Empire. The relationship of the English language to the indigenous cultures of those countries to which it was taken will form a central concern of this series of lectures. There will also be a consideration of the present-day role of English as a global language. Students interested in the subject matter of this lecture series should consult the following website in advance: Studying Varieties of English www.uni-due.de/SVE Information on the history of English can be found on this website: Studying the History of English www.uni-due.de/SHE Anglistik Universität Duisburg-Essen SS 2010 alle Lehrämter, alle Lehrämter Professor Hickey Raymond