Table of contents

Chapters in this book

1. Prelim pages i
2. Table of contents v
3. Preface vii
4. Uncovering layers of meaning in the history of the English language 1
5. Part I. Graphemics and phonology
6. Layers of reading in the Old English Bede 19
7. Unlikely-looking Old English verb forms 39
8. On the importance of noting uncertainty in etymological research 63
9. Part II. Lexicology and semantics
10. “A Wiltshire word, according to Kennett” 81
11. Enforcing or effacing useful distinctions? 99
12. The role of context in the meaning specification of cant and slang words in eighteenth-century English 129
13. Part III. Syntax
14. Let’s talk about uton 157
15. Exploring part-of-speech profiles and authorship attribution in Early Modern medical texts 185
16. The positioning of adverbial clauses in the Paston letters 211
17. Part IV. Genres
18. Complexity and genre conventions 233
19. Formulaic discourse across Early Modern English medical genres 257
20. “Treasure of pore men”, “countrymans friend” or “gentlewomans companion”? 301
21. “I saw ye Child burning in ye fire” 319
22. Name index 343
23. Subject index 345