126-023 Historical Grammar of German

Note

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Credit Points

Coordinator

Prerequisites

37.5 points of second/third-year subjects

Semester

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Subject Description

There is an historical explanation for every aspect of German grammar. The science of historical linguistics is based on both a hypothesis, namely that all languages in a language family have derived from a common ancestor, as well as on a proven fact, namely that languages change over time. This subject will chiefly deal with the concept of language change. Issues of historical linguistics such as why does one say 'er haßt' but 'er läßt', 'die Mäuse' but 'die Häuser', 'er stand' but 'er stünde', and why does one hear both 'wegen des Wetters' and 'wegen dem Wetter' will be explained. Students who complete this subject should have an understanding of the processes that lead to language change; have a better understanding of the many 'exceptions' to the grammatical rules of German; have a greater understanding of the differences that exist between English and German and how these evolved historically; have learnt how to consult etymological dictionaries and to interpret the often cryptic data given; have gained an appreciation for, and interest in, etymology and historical grammar.

Assessment

An assignment or classpaper of 1000 words, and written work totalling 4000 words.