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Colloquialization and not -contraction in nineteenth-century English

  • Erik Smitterberg
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Middle and Modern English Corpus Linguistics
This chapter is in the book Middle and Modern English Corpus Linguistics

Abstract

The present study examines the distribution of not-contracted and uncontracted forms in nineteenth-century English. The results show that the proportion of not-contracted forms increases across the nineteenth century, although there is a great deal of variation along genre lines. The results are linked to a discussion of the applicability of the concept of colloquialization to Late Modern English (LModE). Previous research on the colloquialization of English has focused chiefly on late 20th-century developments. This study demonstrates that the 1800s exhibit some similarities to the late 20th century as regards certain types of societal change, which makes it relevant to attempt to apply the colloquialization framework to the LModE period.

Abstract

The present study examines the distribution of not-contracted and uncontracted forms in nineteenth-century English. The results show that the proportion of not-contracted forms increases across the nineteenth century, although there is a great deal of variation along genre lines. The results are linked to a discussion of the applicability of the concept of colloquialization to Late Modern English (LModE). Previous research on the colloquialization of English has focused chiefly on late 20th-century developments. This study demonstrates that the 1800s exhibit some similarities to the late 20th century as regards certain types of societal change, which makes it relevant to attempt to apply the colloquialization framework to the LModE period.

Chapters in this book

  1. Prelim pages i
  2. Table of contents v
  3. List of abbreviations vii
  4. Introduction 1
  5. Corpus linguistics today and tomorrow
  6. Can’t see the wood for the trees? 13
  7. Spelling variation in Middle English manuscripts 31
  8. Aspects of language change
  9. The development of compound numerals in English Biblical translations 49
  10. The complements of causative make in Late Middle English 59
  11. The pragmaticalization and intensification of verily , truly and really 75
  12. Concept-driven semasiology and onomasiology of CLERGY 93
  13. ANGER and TĒNE in Middle English 109
  14. Middle and Modern English case studies
  15. The subjunctive vs. modal auxiliaries 127
  16. Some notes on the distribution of the quantifier all in Middle English 141
  17. Interjections in Middle English 157
  18. Why and what in Early Modern English drama 177
  19. Colloquialization and not -contraction in nineteenth-century English 191
  20. Wright’s English Dialect Dictionary and thereafter
  21. The complexity and diversity of the words in Wright’s English Dialect Dictionary 209
  22. Etymology in the English Dialect Dictionary 225
  23. Towards an understanding of Joseph Wright’s sources 241
  24. The importance of being Janus 257
  25. ... ging uns der ganze alte Dialektbegriff in eine Illusion auf 269
  26. Index 285
https://doi.org/10.1075/scl.50.17smi

Chapters in this book

  1. Prelim pages i
  2. Table of contents v
  3. List of abbreviations vii
  4. Introduction 1
  5. Corpus linguistics today and tomorrow
  6. Can’t see the wood for the trees? 13
  7. Spelling variation in Middle English manuscripts 31
  8. Aspects of language change
  9. The development of compound numerals in English Biblical translations 49
  10. The complements of causative make in Late Middle English 59
  11. The pragmaticalization and intensification of verily , truly and really 75
  12. Concept-driven semasiology and onomasiology of CLERGY 93
  13. ANGER and TĒNE in Middle English 109
  14. Middle and Modern English case studies
  15. The subjunctive vs. modal auxiliaries 127
  16. Some notes on the distribution of the quantifier all in Middle English 141
  17. Interjections in Middle English 157
  18. Why and what in Early Modern English drama 177
  19. Colloquialization and not -contraction in nineteenth-century English 191
  20. Wright’s English Dialect Dictionary and thereafter
  21. The complexity and diversity of the words in Wright’s English Dialect Dictionary 209
  22. Etymology in the English Dialect Dictionary 225
  23. Towards an understanding of Joseph Wright’s sources 241
  24. The importance of being Janus 257
  25. ... ging uns der ganze alte Dialektbegriff in eine Illusion auf 269
  26. Index 285
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