ENG2166 – Middle English, introduction

Schedule, syllabus and examination date

Course content

This course gives an introduction to Middle English, a collective term for the language of texts dated c.1100-1500 AD. As there was no standard written language at the time, this period in the history of the English language is characterised by great regional, temporal and even individual variation, in spelling, lexicon and other linguistic features.

The course provides:

  • insights into the phonology, morphology and syntax of Middle English
  • a survey of Middle English dialects and dialectal diagnostic features
  • an overview of the types of written materials that survive from the period
  • an introduction to the principles of manuscript editing

Learning outcome

After completing this course, you will

  • understand the background for the linguistic situation in England in the period 1100-1500 AD;
  • know the linguistic structure and characteristics of Middle English;
  • have gained a basic knowledge of Middle English dialects and dialect features;
  • be able to localise Middle English texts from their spelling and other linguistic features;
  • be familiar with the written record of the Middle English period;
  • know the principles of manuscript studies;
  • understand the processes at work in the standardisation of English.

Admission to the course

Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for in Studentweb.

If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures.

Formal prerequisite knowledge

The course requires?ENG1100 - English Grammar?/ENG1100L - English Grammar for the teacher education programme?or similar knowledge.

Overlapping courses