Etymology: Where Words Come From
We will see how the huge vocabulary of English comes from sources as distant as the language of the Aztecs, Japan, West Africa, and Tartar. We will look at how people shoehorned foreign words to fit English sounds, how mistakes make new words, and how words convey more than just their definitions.
Who is this course for?
Anyone interested in finding out about the history of English words. No previous knowledge of the subject is necessary.
What can I expect?
Students are encouraged to bring along their own experiences of language for comparison, and to have a go at using historical accents. On-site courses include physical access to original materials such as historic dictionaries and documents; online courses use a large range of images of texts for illustration, as well as quotations and explanations. Handouts explaining the main points are issued after sessions.
Joining via Zoom
This course or event will be held via Zoom. You need a computer/laptop or mobile phone to access the Zoom website, and a reliable internet connection. For further information on how to join a Zoom meeting, you can watch the joining video here.
You will need a computer or other device to connect with Zoom and a notebook/paper and pen/pencil, or digital equivalent.
This course was a fascinating education and will make me look really brainy when I repeat the information in a variety of contexts!
Image: Dan Weill
Need to Know
You will learn
- All about the main pathways by which words have come into the English language
- How people tried to stop new words being incorporated into the language
- How folk etymology creates nonsense words that come to be accepted
Meet the Tutor
Julian Walker
Julian Walker worked as an educator at the British Library for 16 years. He teaches book and printing history, and the history of English. Julian is the authority on the English language during the First World War, a subject of ongoing research in the Languages and the First World War project, which he directs. He has written several books on the history of English, in fields such as cooking, sport, and conflict, and is a regular consultant on the history of English words and idioms for BBC local radio.
Dates and Times
Etymology: Where Words Come From
, 6:16 - 8:16
This course will take place online.
