Investigating the dynamics of the lexicon
-
Julia Landmann
Abstract
This chapter focuses on the lexical influence of Yiddish on English throughout its history. The findings rely on an analysis of the linguistic evidence in electronic dictionaries and corpora. Specific value will be accorded to the use of Yiddish borrowings in informal language. Yiddish has provided English with a number of terms relating to various semantic domains, ranging from gastronomy, faith and religion, to people and everyday life. An important objective is to provide an overview of the domains influenced by Yiddish over time. Particular attention will be given to socio-cultural and historical reasons that might explain the introduction and spread of Yiddish borrowings into different domains over the centuries, contributing to variation in the English lexicon.
Abstract
This chapter focuses on the lexical influence of Yiddish on English throughout its history. The findings rely on an analysis of the linguistic evidence in electronic dictionaries and corpora. Specific value will be accorded to the use of Yiddish borrowings in informal language. Yiddish has provided English with a number of terms relating to various semantic domains, ranging from gastronomy, faith and religion, to people and everyday life. An important objective is to provide an overview of the domains influenced by Yiddish over time. Particular attention will be given to socio-cultural and historical reasons that might explain the introduction and spread of Yiddish borrowings into different domains over the centuries, contributing to variation in the English lexicon.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Foreword vii
- Introduction 1
-
Part I. Syntax and word order
- Parataxis and hypotaxis in the history of English 10
- Two types of left-dislocation in Old English 34
- Subject-verb agreement and the rise of do -support in the period of anglicisation of Scots 53
-
Part II. Diachronic linguistic change
- A modern light on diachronic processes affecting coda /l/ in English 82
- Modality and the English subjunctive in noun clauses 103
- Some philological implications of punctuation in editions of Middle English texts 120
-
Part III. Lexicography and lexis
- The unfinished double glosses in Durham Cathedral Library, MS A.iv.19 144
- Early modern manuscripts containing Old English dictionaries in England and northern Germany 166
- Loss of wiþer -words in English 191
- Investigating the dynamics of the lexicon 212
- Index 233
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Foreword vii
- Introduction 1
-
Part I. Syntax and word order
- Parataxis and hypotaxis in the history of English 10
- Two types of left-dislocation in Old English 34
- Subject-verb agreement and the rise of do -support in the period of anglicisation of Scots 53
-
Part II. Diachronic linguistic change
- A modern light on diachronic processes affecting coda /l/ in English 82
- Modality and the English subjunctive in noun clauses 103
- Some philological implications of punctuation in editions of Middle English texts 120
-
Part III. Lexicography and lexis
- The unfinished double glosses in Durham Cathedral Library, MS A.iv.19 144
- Early modern manuscripts containing Old English dictionaries in England and northern Germany 166
- Loss of wiþer -words in English 191
- Investigating the dynamics of the lexicon 212
- Index 233
