Tự luận lịch sử phát triển tiếng anh en15 ehou

TRƯỜNG ĐẠI HỌC MỞ HÀ NỘI ĐỀ KIỂM TRA TỰ LUẬN MÔN: Lịch sử phát triển Tiếng Anh Mã môn: EN15 Đề 1 Why is the English language so difficult to pronounce and spell? Đề 2 Basing on the knowledge you have studied, how was English formed? Đề 3 What are the differences between British English and Australian English? Đề 4 Why did old English change into middle English? Đề 5 What are some typical characteristics of English dialects in England? Một số yêu cầu: - Mỗi sinh viên chọn 1 đề để làm bài kiểm tra tự luận. - Sinh viên nộp file word lên hệ thống. - Quy cách trình này: Sử dụng mã chữ Unicode, font: Timees New Roman, chỡ chữ 14; Cách dòng 1.5, chừa lề tự động. Chú ý: + Chế tài xử lý đối với bài phát hiện có sự sao chép ( VD: nếu phát hiện sao chép thì bài làm của sinh viên sẽ không được công nhận và nhận điểm 0....) + Giảng viên có thể trao đổi, nhận xét góp ý cho bài làm của sinh viên trên diễn đàn hoặc buổi Vclass (SV tham gia lớp Vclass đầy đủ để được giải đáp)

TRƯỜNG ĐẠI HỌC MỞ HÀ NỘI ĐỀ KIỂM TRA TỰ LUẬN MÔN: Lịch sử phát triển Tiếng Anh Mã môn: EN15

BÀI LÀMĐỀ SỐ 1Why is the English Language So Difficult to Pronounce and Spell?

The English language has long been considered one of the most difficult languages for non-native speakers to master, particularly when it comes to pronunciation and spelling Several historical, linguistic, and cultural factors contribute to this complexity This essay will explore three primary reasons: the irregularities caused by the language’s diverse origins, the evolution of English over time, and the inconsistencies in spelling rules.

1 Diverse Origins and Borrowings from Other LanguagesOne of the main reasons English is so difficult to pronounce and spell is becauseof its diverse linguistic origins English is a Germanic language at its core, but ithas borrowed extensively from Latin, French, Norse, and other languages over centuries of contact with different cultures

For instance, after the Norman Conquest in 1066, French became the language of the ruling class in England, and many French words entered the English lexicon These borrowings often retained their original pronunciation and spelling conventions, which clashed with the existing Germanic roots of English This is why we have pairs of words with similar meanings but differentroots, such as “begin” (from Old English) and “commence” (from French), with distinct pronunciations and spellings

Additionally, words borrowed from Latin and Greek have contributed to the complexity of English spelling Latin-based scientific and academic terms like “psychology” or “philosophy” follow Latin spelling conventions, which often include silent letters or unexpected combinations of sounds, making them challenging for learners

2 The Evolution of Pronunciation Over TimeAnother significant factor is the way English pronunciation has changed over time, especially during major shifts in the language’s history One of the most notable examples is the Great Vowel Shift, which occurred between the 15th and 18th centuries During this period, the pronunciation of vowels in English underwent dramatic changes Words that were once pronounced with long, open

vowels began to be pronounced with more closed, shifted vowels However, the spelling of many words remained the same.

For example, the word “bite” used to be pronounced more like “beet” before theGreat Vowel Shift, but the spelling did not change to reflect this new

pronunciation This divergence between spelling and pronunciation has persisted in modern English, making it difficult for learners to predict how a word should sound based on its written form

Furthermore, the influence of different dialects and regional variations within English-speaking countries adds to the confusion British, American, Australian,and other English varieties each have their own pronunciations of the same words, making it even harder for learners to grasp a unified system

3 Inconsistent Spelling Rules and ExceptionsEnglish spelling rules are notoriously inconsistent While there are general rules,such as “i before e except after c,” there are numerous exceptions to these rules that learners must memorize For example, while “believe” and “piece” follow the “i before e” rule, words like “their” and “weird” do not

The inconsistency in spelling can also be traced back to early printing practices When the printing press was introduced to England in the 15th century, there was no standardized spelling system Printers often made decisions about how to spell words based on space constraints in the printed text, leading to various accepted spellings for the same word Over time, certain spellings became standardized, but many of them did not align with pronunciation changes, further complicating the relationship between written and spoken English.Additionally, the introduction of new technologies and concepts has brought in words from other languages without adapting their spelling or pronunciation to fit English rules Words like “chaos” and “yacht” have retained their original forms, which do not correspond to typical English pronunciation patterns.Conclusion

In conclusion, the difficulty of English pronunciation and spelling can be attributed to a combination of its historical borrowings from multiple languages,the evolution of its sound system over time, and the lack of consistency in spelling rules These factors, along with the influence of various dialects, make English a challenging language to master in terms of both speaking and writing Despite these challenges, English remains one of the most widely spoken and influential languages in the world, and its complexity is a reflection of its rich and varied history.

ĐỀ SỐ 2How Was the English Language Formed?The formation of the English language is a story of gradual development, shaped by various historical, social, and linguistic influences over many centuries As a result of this complex history, English today is a rich language with a diverse vocabulary and grammar, reflecting its Germanic roots and the influence of other languages such as Latin, French, and Norse In this essay, I will outline the key stages in the development of English, from its beginnings inthe Anglo-Saxon period through Old English, Middle English, and finally Modern English

1 Old English (450-1150 AD)The origins of the English language can be traced back to the 5th century AD, when Germanic tribes — the Angles, Saxons, and Jutes — invaded Britain fromwhat is now Denmark and northern Germany These tribes spoke various

dialects of Old Germanic, which over time blended into what we now call Old English

Old English was primarily a Germanic language, heavily influenced by the native Celtic languages spoken by the original inhabitants of Britain However, its structure and vocabulary were very different from modern English, making Old English largely unintelligible to contemporary speakers The epic poem Beowulf, written in Old English, is one of the most famous examples of the language from this period

During the 8th to 11th centuries, the Viking invasions brought Old Norse, a North Germanic language, into contact with Old English Norse influenced English vocabulary significantly, especially in the domains of everyday life, with words like “sky,” “egg,” and “anger” entering the language Norse also simplified some of the grammatical structures of Old English, contributing to itseventual evolution.

2 Middle English (1150-1500 AD)The next major development in the history of English came in 1066, with the Norman Conquest of England The Normans were originally Vikings who had settled in what is now France, and they spoke a dialect of Old French After their conquest, French became the language of the English court, administration,and upper classes, while the lower classes continued to speak Old English This situation persisted for several centuries, leading to significant borrowing of French vocabulary into English, particularly in areas such as law, government, art, literature, and food

This period saw the rise of what we now call Middle English Middle English grammar began to simplify, losing many of the complex inflections and cases that characterized Old English The Norman influence contributed to this simplification, as French was a less inflected language than Old English.One of the most well-known works from this period is Geoffrey Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales, written in Middle English By the 14th century, Middle English had become the dominant language of literature and daily life, although it still varied widely in pronunciation and spelling across different regions.3 Early Modern English (1500-1700 AD)

The transition from Middle English to Early Modern English was marked by several key events and changes The Renaissance, beginning in the late 15th century, brought with it a renewed interest in Latin and Greek, leading to the borrowing of many new words from these classical languages This expanded the vocabulary of English, especially in the fields of science, philosophy, and art

Another significant event during this time was the invention of the printing press by Johannes Gutenberg in the 15th century, which reached England in 1476 through William Caxton The printing press played a crucial role in standardizing English spelling and grammar Before printing, there was no fixedway to write English, with different regions having their own dialects and

spellings The wide distribution of printed books helped establish London’s dialect as the standard form of English

The Great Vowel Shift, a major change in the pronunciation of English vowels, also occurred during this period This shift altered the way vowels were

pronounced, bringing the language closer to its modern form However, spellingoften remained the same, leading to the discrepancies between English spelling and pronunciation that exist today

Shakespeare’s works, written during the late 16th and early 17th centuries, exemplify Early Modern English His innovative use of language and introduction of new vocabulary reflect the dynamic and evolving nature of English during this period

4 Modern English (1700-Present)By the late 17th century, English had largely evolved into its modern form, though it continued to borrow words from other languages as British

colonialism expanded The rise of the British Empire and the spread of English as a global language brought new words and phrases into English from countriesaround the world

In the 18th century, efforts were made to standardize English further, particularly in terms of grammar and spelling Samuel Johnson’s Dictionary of the English Language, published in 1755, was a landmark in this effort,

providing a standardized reference for English spelling and meaning.In the modern era, English continues to evolve, influenced by technological advances, the media, and global communication American English, which developed its own distinct characteristics due to its separation from Britain, has

had a significant impact on the language, particularly through the influence of American cinema, television, and the internet.

ConclusionIn conclusion, the formation of the English language is a complex process that spans over 1,500 years From its Germanic roots in Old English, through the transformative influence of French during the Middle English period, and the standardization efforts of the Early Modern English era, English has evolved into the global language it is today Its diverse origins and capacity for

adaptation make English both rich in vocabulary and flexible in usage, contributing to its status as a leading world language

ĐỀ 3What Are the Differences Between British English and Australian English?The English language is spoken in many countries around the world, and each region often develops its own distinctive variety of English British English (BrE) and Australian English (AusE) are two such varieties that, while sharing acommon foundation, have evolved in different directions This essay will

explore the main differences between British English and Australian English in terms of pronunciation, vocabulary, and spelling

1 Pronunciation DifferencesOne of the most noticeable differences between British English and Australian English is in pronunciation While both dialects are derived from English settlers, the evolution of the Australian accent has diverged significantly from its British roots

Vowel Sounds: In Australian English, vowel sounds tend to be broader and more flattened compared to British English For example, the vowel sound in words like “dance” and “chance” is often pronounced with a short /æ/ sound in Australian English, sounding like “dæns” or “chæns,” whereas in British

English, it is more common to hear a longer /ɑ:/ sound, as in “dɑ” or “chɑ

.”Non-Rhotic Accent: Both British English (in its standard Received Pronunciation, or RP) and Australian English are generally non-rhotic, meaning the "r" at the end of words like "car" or "mother" is not pronounced However, in Australian English, this non-rhotic tendency is even more pronounced, with the "r" being almost entirely silent in most cases For example, “car” in

Australian English is pronounced as “cah,” similar to how it is pronounced in British English, though with a slightly different intonation

Intonation Patterns: Australian English is characterized by a rising intonation at the end of sentences, even in statements This can make sentences sound as though they are questions This pattern, known as the Australian Question Intonation (AQI), is not as common in British English, where statements typically end with a falling intonation

2 Vocabulary DifferencesAnother area of significant difference between British English and Australian English is vocabulary While both varieties of English share many words, there are numerous differences in the words used for everyday objects, actions, and cultural items

Australian Slang: Australian English is known for its unique slang, which often shortens longer words and adds an informal, laid-back quality to speech For example, Australians frequently use “arvo” for “afternoon,” “brekkie” for “breakfast,” and “barbie” for “barbecue.” These terms are rarely, if ever, used inBritish English Similarly, “mate” is commonly used in Australia to refer to a friend, whereas in British English, the word “friend” or “pal” is more common.Different Terms for the Same Object: There are also many cases where

Australian English and British English use completely different words to describe the same thing For example, in Australia, “flip-flops” are called “thongs,” while in Britain, “thongs” refer to a type of underwear Another example is the use of “boot” in British English to refer to the back storage area of a car, whereas Australians call it the “trunk.” Similarly, British speakers use

“petrol” for the fuel used in cars, while in Australia, it’s more common to hear “gas” or “gasoline.”

Indigenous Influence: Australian English has also incorporated words from the many Aboriginal languages spoken by Indigenous Australians Words like “kangaroo,” “boomerang,” and “billabong” have entered the lexicon and are used widely in Australia These words are less common in British English, where they are recognized but not frequently used

3 Spelling DifferencesWhile spelling differences between British and Australian English are generally not as pronounced as those between British and American English, there are stillsome distinctions that reflect both historical and cultural influences

Use of British Spelling Conventions: Australian English largely follows British spelling conventions For example, words that end in “-our” in British English, such as “colour,” “favour,” and “honour,” retain the same spelling in Australian English This contrasts with American English, which drops the “u” to spell these words as “color,” “favor,” and “honor.”

“-ise” vs “-ize” Endings: In British English, words like “organise,” “realise,” and “criticise” are typically spelled with “-ise” at the end Australian English tends to follow this convention, though the “-ize” ending is also accepted and used interchangeably This flexibility makes Australian English spelling slightlymore variable than British English, which more consistently prefers “-ise.”Other Minor Differences: There are a few other minor spelling differences between the two varieties For example, Australian English sometimes adopts a more phonetic spelling for some words, such as “program” (Australian) instead of “programme” (British), particularly in reference to computer-related terms However, in other cases, British spelling conventions prevail, such as “analyse” (Australian) versus the American “analyze.”

Conclusion

In conclusion, while British English and Australian English share a common origin, they have developed distinct differences in pronunciation, vocabulary, and spelling over time These differences reflect the historical influences on each variety of English, including Australia’s geographic isolation and the unique cultural influences from its Indigenous languages Despite these differences, British English and Australian English remain mutually intelligible,allowing speakers from both regions to communicate effectively, albeit with some notable variations in how they speak and write.

ĐỀ 4Why Did Old English Change into Middle English?The transition from Old English to Middle English, which occurred approximately between the 11th and 14th centuries, was a gradual but transformative process Several factors contributed to this significant linguistic shift, including political changes, cultural influences, and evolving social dynamics This essay will explore three main reasons for the change from Old English to Middle English: the Norman Conquest, the influence of the French language, and the natural evolution of the English language

1 The Norman Conquest of 1066One of the most important events that led to the transformation of Old English into Middle English was the Norman Conquest of England in 1066 When William the Conqueror, Duke of Normandy, invaded England, he brought with him not only a new ruling class but also the Norman French language The Normans quickly established themselves as the elite ruling class in England, andFrench became the language of the court, law, administration, and the church.During this period, English was primarily spoken by the lower classes, while theupper classes used Norman French As a result, Old English began to absorb a large number of French words, especially in areas related to governance, law, and culture Words such as “court,” “judge,” “government,” and “noble” enteredthe English lexicon, reflecting the dominance of French-speaking rulers The