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.