Introduction
Exploring the Origins of English
This webquest introduces the origins of the English language. Have you ever thought why we write the words in English in one way, but pronounce in another? Do you know what are the languages English has borrowed the words from?
You will find the answers for these and some other questions in websites provided in the webquest. Also, you will place the English language development in timeline and how is it positioned in the language family. Your final task is to create a presentation on one aspect of English language development.
Task
You have two tasks during this webquest.
TASK 1 is to find answers to the questions given. TASK 2 is to create a presentation on a topic you choose.
Task 1. Answer the questions.
Old English (.../10)
- What language was spoken in Britain in the 5th century? ( /1)
- Why does this language has that specific name? ( /1)
- Where does the name England come from? ( /1)
- Who was King Alfred and why was he important? ( /2)
- Anglo-Saxon England is seen as the starting point for the development of the English Language. Why here and not earlier? ( /2)
- What type of words were used in Old English? Give 3 examples. ( /3)
Middle English (.../8)
- When was the Battle of Hastings? Why was it important? ( /2)
- Which period do these characters belong to: King Harold, William of Normandy. Why were these people important? ( /2)
- What words has English borrowed in this period and from what languages? Name 5. ( /2,5)
- Why was is that names of animals in the field were traditional English words, but their culinary variant (once they were cooked) was often French? ( /1,5)
Modern English (.../4)
- What phenomenon marked the transition from Middle- and Modern English? ( /2)
- Who was the most important figure in English? What were his most important contributions to the English language and culture? ( /2)
Task 2: Create a presentation (Powerpoint slides).
Create a PowerPoint presentation describing the epic poem Beowulf, St. James Bible
or
one of the following historical characters: King Alfred, King Harold, or William of Normandy, William Shakespeare, Queen Elizabeth I
or
events namely the Battle of Hasting, Normandy's defeat, or the black plague, The great vowel shift.
Presentation should be aprox. 10 slides and have no more than 20 words per slide.
Content: In which time period do we situate your subject? Why was your subject important in the history of English?
Don't forget to mention your sources
Process
OLD ENGLISH (450-1100 AD)
It all started with the earliest inhabitants of Britain, The Celts who were also known as the Britons or ‘painted people’ because of their warrior habits of painting their bodies. Little is known of the Britons, although a few traces of their culture can still be seen today, like the Stonehenge which was probably a Celtic temple.
The Saxons ruled England for 600 years, forming the basis of its culture, language and borders. English owes a lot to its Anglo Saxon roots.
Take a look at these sources, to find answers to the questions:
1. http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ancient/anglo_saxons/
2.
3. https://www.britainexpress.com/History/dark_ages_index.htm
4. https://thehistoryofenglish.com/history_old.html#Anglo-Saxon (The Anglo-Saxon or Old English language)
5.
MIDDLE ENGLISH (1100-1500 AD)
Anglo-Saxons were a doomed group of people and they knew it. Continuous Viking raids smashed their little communities during the VII and IX centuries, leaving their first English society seriously weakened. Once conquerors themselves, the Anglo-Saxons had become an easy prey for another and even greater military group: The Normans.
Take a look at these sources, to find answers to the questions:
1. http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/british/normans/
2. http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/british/middle_ages/
3.
4. https://www.bl.uk/medieval-literature/articles/middle-english
5. https://thehistoryofenglish.com/history_middle.html
6. http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/british/middle_ages/black_01.shtml
MODERN ENGLISH (c. 1500 - c. 1800)
The Modern English period, marked the transition from Middle English to what we know as the English we speak today. The Beginning of this era, is often referred to as the 'Golden age' of English history. Mostly because stabalized political situation and the flourishing of the English literature. A large number of events or phenomena that occured during thus period, have decided what English looks like today.
Take a look at these sources, to find answers to the questions:
https://www.thehistoryofenglish.com/history_early_modern.html
Evaluation
| 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Following Instruction | The instruction is not followed. | More than one part of the presentation is missing. | One part of the presentation is missing. | All parts of the presentation asked by the teacher are present. |
| Visual Presentation | The presentation could not be followed. | The visual images of the presentation are in some parts understandable. | The visual images of the presentation are in most part understandable. | The visual images of the presentation are understandable for viewers. |
| Presentign the information | You are not able to comment their work or have practised plagiarism. | You do not comment and/or give additional information on their work or give very little of information and comments, they are not familiar with their material. | You comment their presentation, give some additional information and know their material in most parts. | You comment the presentation fluently, give additional information and know their material they have worked on. |
| Factual Knowledge | The information in a presentation is incorrect. | There are several mistakes in factual knowledge. | There are some mistakes in factual knowledge. | The facts in the presentation are presented as correct. |