HEL-04 Study Questions for McCrum's Story of English Chapter 04 Prepared by Dr. David F. Maas

8/14/2019 HEL-04 Study Questions for McCrum's Story of English Chapter 04 Prepared by Dr. David F. Maas

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The Story of EnglishThe Story of EnglishChapter 04Chapter 04

SQs The Guid Scots TongueSQs The Guid Scots TongueDr. David F. MaasDr. David F. Maas


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The Story of English Chapter 04The Story of English Chapter 04

1. Identify some Scottish place-names in1. Identify some Scottish place-names in

America. 130:01America. 130:01

8 Aberdeens8 Aberdeens

8Edinburghs8Edinburghs

7 Glasgows7 Glasgows

Mc Adams, MississippiMc Adams, Mississippi Mc Williams, AlabamaMc Williams, Alabama


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2. Explain why Scots is no longer the2. Explain why Scots is no longer the

written language of Edinburgh.131:03written language of Edinburgh.131:03

It was from the South in 17It was from the South in 17

thth

1818

thth

LondonLondonconsolidated itself throughout Isles.consolidated itself throughout Isles.

It was here that English first becameIt was here that English first became

refined and standardized as the de factorefined and standardized as the de facto

language of power.language of power.


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3. What was the prevailing mood in the3. What was the prevailing mood in the

late 17late 17thth and early 18and early 18 thth century concerningcentury concerning

the English language? 132:05the English language? 132:05

The suggestion that there was a rightThe suggestion that there was a right

way of speaking would have seemedway of speaking would have seemed

strange to most people.strange to most people.


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4. what was perhaps the main impulse4. what was perhaps the main impulse

behind the need for order in the beginningbehind the need for order in the beginning

of the 18of the 18 thth century? 132:06century? 132:06

It was the need to assimilate the scientificIt was the need to assimilate the scientific

and political revolutions of the seventeenthand political revolutions of the seventeenth

century.century.


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5. How did John Dryden feel the best way5. How did John Dryden feel the best way

was to express an idea correctly inwas to express an idea correctly in

English? 133:07English? 133:07

He sometimes had to translate an ideaHe sometimes had to translate an idea

into Latin to find the correct way tointo Latin to find the correct way to

express it in English.express it in English.


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6. What had Cardinal Richelieu tried to do6. What had Cardinal Richelieu tried to doto safeguard the French language? 133:08to safeguard the French language? 133:08

Cardinal Richelieu had established theCardinal Richelieu had established the

Academie Francaise with a specificAcademie Francaise with a specificcharter, to labour with all possible care andcharter, to labour with all possible care anddiligence to give definite rules to ourdiligence to give definite rules to ourlanguage, and to render it pure, eloquentlanguage, and to render it pure, eloquentand capable of treating the arts andand capable of treating the arts andsciences.sciences.


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7. What was Daniel Defoes belief about7. What was Daniel Defoes belief about

the coining of words? 133:09the coining of words? 133:09

it would be as criminal to coin words asit would be as criminal to coin words as

money,money,


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8. What tendency of 188. What tendency of 18 thth century speechcentury speech

did Swift deplore? 134:11did Swift deplore? 134:11

AbridgementsAbridgements

Rep for reputationRep for reputation

Mob for mobileMob for mobile

Vogue words sham, banter, mob, bubble,Vogue words sham, banter, mob, bubble,bullybully


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9. What was Swifts greatest fear about9. What was Swifts greatest fear about


English usage, replaced by another set ofEnglish usage, replaced by another set of

vogue words and phrases, would becomevogue words and phrases, would become

unintelligible.unintelligible.


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10. What exactly did Swift propose?10. What exactly did Swift propose?

135:13135:13

Proposed an academyProposed an academy

17121712A Proposal for Correcting ,A Proposal for Correcting ,

improving, and Ascertaining theimproving, and Ascertaining the

English TongueEnglish Tongue


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11. What spelling difficulties came about11. What spelling difficulties came about

as a result of false etymologies/136:14as a result of false etymologies/136:14

False etymologies changed words likeFalse etymologies changed words like

iland into islandiland into island

Sissors into scissorsSissors into scissors

Coud into couldCoud into could


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12. What was the forerunner to Dr.12. What was the forerunner to Dr.

Johnsons Dictionary?136:15Johnsons Dictionary?136:15

Robert Cawdray 1604Robert Cawdray 1604

A Table Alphabeticall of hard vsualA Table Alphabeticall of hard vsual

English wordesEnglish wordes


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13. What was the purpose of these first13. What was the purpose of these first

dictionaries?137:15dictionaries?137:15

To enable its student to convey anTo enable its student to convey an

impression of fine learning.impression of fine learning.


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14. For how many words did Johnson14. For how many words did Johnson

write these definitions? 137:18write these definitions? 137:18

Johnson wrote the definitions of more thanJohnson wrote the definitions of more than

40,000 words.40,000 words.


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15. Give examples of some of Dr.15. Give examples of some of Dr.

Johnsons wit. 138:18Johnsons wit. 138:18

Oats- a grain, which in England isOats- a grain, which in England is

generally given to horses, but in Scotlandgenerally given to horses, but in Scotland

supports the people.supports the people.

Lexicographer- a writer of dictionaries, aLexicographer- a writer of dictionaries, a

harmless drudge.harmless drudge.


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16. Give evidence that Dr. Johnson did not16. Give evidence that Dr. Johnson did not

offer any simplistic definitions.138:18offer any simplistic definitions.138:18

Heart- The muscle which by its contractionHeart- The muscle which by its contraction

and dilation propels the blood through theand dilation propels the blood through the

course of circulation--- It is supposed incourse of circulation--- It is supposed in

popular language to be the seatpopular language to be the seat

sometimes of courage, sometimes ofsometimes of courage, sometimes ofaffection.affection.


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17. Compare the efforts of Dr. Johnson17. Compare the efforts of Dr. Johnson

with the efforts of the Frenchwith the efforts of the French

academy.138:19,20academy.138:19,20

Had taken the French academicians 40Had taken the French academicians 40

years to produce the first French nationalyears to produce the first French national

dictionary.dictionary.

Johnson labored for nine years.Johnson labored for nine years.


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18. What did Dr. Samuel Johnson believe18. What did Dr. Samuel Johnson believe

could be done to fix or make permanentcould be done to fix or make permanent


He scorned the idea of permanence inHe scorned the idea of permanence in

language.language.

To believe that, he said, was to believe inTo believe that, he said, was to believe in

the elixir of eternal life.the elixir of eternal life.


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19. In what region in Scotland is English a19. In what region in Scotland is English a

foreign language? 142:27foreign language? 142:27

Barra- an isolated Island in northernBarra- an isolated Island in northern

Scotland English is still a foreignScotland English is still a foreign

language.language.


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20. What North American Canadian20. What North American Canadian

province became the new homeland forprovince became the new homeland for

the disenfranchised Scots? 144:31the disenfranchised Scots? 144:31

Nova ScotiaNova Scotia


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21. Where did the Scotti come from?21. Where did the Scotti come from?

146:37146:37

Celtic people from Ireland callingCeltic people from Ireland calling

themselves the Scottithemselves the Scotti


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22. Explain the role that King David I22. Explain the role that King David I

played in establishing the Lowlandplayed in establishing the Lowland

Scottish tongue. 146:37Scottish tongue. 146:37

David I introduced the burgh( a colony orDavid I introduced the burgh( a colony or

town surrounding a castle) to Scotland.town surrounding a castle) to Scotland.

These English-speaking burghs markedThese English-speaking burghs marked

the beginning of what was to becomethe beginning of what was to become

Scots English.Scots English.


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23. Identify some Gaelic words that have23. Identify some Gaelic words that have

entered the English vocabulary. 147:39entered the English vocabulary. 147:39

BogBog

InchInch

WhiskyWhisky


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24. How did James VIs move to London24. How did James VIs move to London

help to destroy the Scots language?help to destroy the Scots language?

148:44148:44

He adopted the ways of the southHe adopted the ways of the south

Now all official documents were in English.Now all official documents were in English.


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25. How did the Church of Scotland help25. How did the Church of Scotland help

the Scottish language? 149:46the Scottish language? 149:46

Church of Scotland a bible and psalmeChurch of Scotland a bible and psalme

buke in vulgare languagebuke in vulgare language


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26. What dialect does the Devil speak in26. What dialect does the Devil speak in

Lorimers New Testament? 150:48Lorimers New Testament? 150:48

Only the devil speaks standard EnglishOnly the devil speaks standard English


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27.How did philosopher David Hume27.How did philosopher David Hume

assist in the disparaging of the Scottishassist in the disparaging of the Scottish

language? 151:50language? 151:50

Published a small collection ScottissPublished a small collection Scottiss

usagesusages

Scots proven English provedScots proven English proved

Scots teach English learnedScots teach English learned


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28. How did Robert Burns put pride back28. How did Robert Burns put pride back

into an assimilated people? 152:53into an assimilated people? 152:53

153:55153:55

Drew on the despised Scottish tradition,Drew on the despised Scottish tradition,

half ballads and half Court poetry.half ballads and half Court poetry.

It was Burnss great achievement to giveIt was Burnss great achievement to give

his nation a voice and give the Scotshis nation a voice and give the Scots

tongue back its pride.tongue back its pride.


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29. How did Sir Walter Scott bolster his29. How did Sir Walter Scott bolster his

countrys sense of pride? 153:57countrys sense of pride? 153:57

Scott looked to the great Scottish culturalScott looked to the great Scottish cultural

achievements of the past, the poetry, theachievements of the past, the poetry, the

ballads, and the folk songs, for anballads, and the folk songs, for an

authentic expression of Scots pride.authentic expression of Scots pride.


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30. Where is the Scots language30. Where is the Scots language

preserved? 157:61preserved? 157:61

Speech of AberdeenshireSpeech of Aberdeenshire

Working class districts of the big cities likeWorking class districts of the big cities like

GlasgowGlasgow


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31. How did the Scots language become31. How did the Scots language become

transferred to Ireland? 157:63transferred to Ireland? 157:63

The Presbyterian Lowlanders hoped toThe Presbyterian Lowlanders hoped to

find in Ulster the religious freedom theyfind in Ulster the religious freedom they

were denied at home.were denied at home.


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32. Characterize the Scots-Irish who32. Characterize the Scots-Irish who

settled in Ulster. 157:64settled in Ulster. 157:64

Acquired a reputation for hard bargaining,Acquired a reputation for hard bargaining,

thrift, and even meanness.thrift, and even meanness.


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33. What features of older forms of Scots33. What features of older forms of Scots

are preserved in Ulster? 158:68are preserved in Ulster? 158:68

Bone and stone have remained bane andBone and stone have remained bane and

stanestane

V in a word like give is dropped gieV in a word like give is dropped gie


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34. Identify some Scottish vocabulary in34. Identify some Scottish vocabulary in

the Ulster dialect. 159:69the Ulster dialect. 159:69

Fornent for oppositeFornent for opposite

Gunk for disappointmentGunk for disappointment


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35. How did the Scots-Irish earn the35. How did the Scots-Irish earn thereputation for being energetic, belligerent,reputation for being energetic, belligerent,and pugnacious? 161:73and pugnacious? 161:73

Despised the native Irish CatholicsDespised the native Irish Catholics Despised the ruling EnglishDespised the ruling English They became characteristically energeticThey became characteristically energetic

and pugnacious, with a natural and inbuiltand pugnacious, with a natural and inbuiltfrontier mentality, ready to take on allfrontier mentality, ready to take on allcomers.comers.


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36. what proportion of the colonists were36. what proportion of the colonists were

of Scots-Irish origin in 1776? 161:74of Scots-Irish origin in 1776? 161:74

One in seven of the colonists was Scots-One in seven of the colonists was Scots-

Irish.Irish.


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37. How did the New Englanders37. How did the New Englanders

characterize the Scots-Irish immigrants?characterize the Scots-Irish immigrants?

163:77 New Englanders found the latest163:77 New Englanders found the latest

arrivals intolerant, violent, unruly, andarrivals intolerant, violent, unruly, andpoverty-stricken.poverty-stricken.


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38. Identify one of the legendary Scots-38. Identify one of the legendary Scots-

Irish frontiersmen. 163:80Irish frontiersmen. 163:80

Davy CrockettDavy Crockett


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39. Give examples of some folk aphorisms39. Give examples of some folk aphorisms

or proverbs brought over by the Scots-or proverbs brought over by the Scots-

Irish. 163:81Irish. 163:81

Mad as a meat axeMad as a meat axe

Dead as a hammerDead as a hammer

So drunk he couldnt hit the wall with aSo drunk he couldnt hit the wall with a

handful of beanshandful of beans

Go the whole hogGo the whole hog


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40. What are the ancestors for the40. What are the ancestors for the

Appalachian hillbillies? 165:82Appalachian hillbillies? 165:82

Scots-IrishScots-Irish


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41. What capability of Appalachian41. What capability of Appalachian

speakers does Professor Cratis Williamsspeakers does Professor Cratis Williams

attribute to a Scottish past?165:84attribute to a Scottish past?165:84

Appalachian people were the bestAppalachian people were the best

storytellers in the world.storytellers in the world.


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42. Identify examples of Scots-Irish usage42. Identify examples of Scots-Irish usage

in Appalachian and Southern speech.in Appalachian and Southern speech.

166:85166:85

Bonny-clabber sour milkBonny-clabber sour milk

Flannel cake thin wheat cakeFlannel cake thin wheat cake


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43. what Middle-English feature still43. what Middle-English feature still

appears in Appalachian speech? 166:87appears in Appalachian speech? 166:87

There becomes tharrThere becomes tharr

Bear becomes barrBear becomes barr

Hair becomes herrHair becomes herr


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44. Explain the Scots-Irish roots of44. Explain the Scots-Irish roots of

Country music. 168:91Country music. 168:91

Singers like Dolly Parton and KennySingers like Dolly Parton and Kenny

Rogers have internationalized a style thatRogers have internationalized a style that

was once confined to the hills.was once confined to the hills.


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45. identify some American presidents who trace45. identify some American presidents who tracetheir ancestry to Scots-Irish stock. 168:92their ancestry to Scots-Irish stock. 168:92

Andrew JacksonAndrew Jackson

James BuchananJames Buchanan Chester A. ArthurChester A. Arthur James K. PolkJames K. Polk Grover ClevelandGrover Cleveland Woodrow WilsonWoodrow Wilson Benjamin HarrisonBenjamin Harrison


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46. Identify some Scots-Irish influences on46. Identify some Scots-Irish influences onAmerican speech. 168:93American speech. 168:93

Mad for angryMad for angry

Bamboozle for swindleBamboozle for swindle AintAint CantCant DontDont Knowed for newKnowed for new Winder for windowWinder for window


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HEL-04 Study Questions for McCrum's Story of English Chapter 04 Prepared by Dr. David F. Maas