Tagged Questions
1
vote
0answers
325 views
Describe the detailed phonetic environment for the appearance/presence of /ɜ:/. [closed]
One recent vowel phoneme in English is /ɜ:/. It would seem that this sound only developed in a certain phonetic environment, or to phrase it differently: it only appeared under certain conditions.
2
votes
2answers
2k views
When did we stop speaking Old English? [closed]
There is Old English, and there is the English we speak now. When did exactly did the British (or Americans) change from speaking Old English to speaking the current form of English?
13
votes
2answers
1k views
What were nightmares called before “nightmare” was used in that sense?
Apparently the word "nightmare" has only been used in the sense of "bad dream" since c. 1829. Before then the term referred to the agent causing the dreams—a mare < mera, mære 'goblin, ...
3
votes
5answers
389 views
Archaic text suggestions
I'm interested in learning Archaic English. As a starting point, I guess simple texts that are easy to comprehend would be a good choice. I would appreciate any suggestions.
