Course Description
Provides an understanding of the linguistic processes and cultural factors determining the evolution of German as a codified standard language from the Reformation to the present.
Athena Title
Evol German as Standard Lang
Prerequisite
GRMN 2002 or GRMN 2110 or GRMN 2140H
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
Overview of the cultural and linguistic history of the German language from the fifteenth century to the present. Traces the role of religion, education, politics and economics in the process of language.
Topical Outline
*Linguistic diversity in early modern Germany *Standard and substandard language varieties *Martin Luther's Bible translation *Printing and printers' languages *Literacy and formal education in early modern Germany *Early modern German, the languae of the city dweller *Competing varieties: common German and Luther's German *War, absolutism and language development *Grammarians of the 17th and 18th centuries *Socio-economic change and languabe change in the 19th century *Final codification: the Duden dictionary *Effect of mass culture on language development
Syllabus