Курсовая работа: Characteristic features of American English
5. To define the etymology of certain words.
6. To define the sources of borrowings in American English.
7. To make up a short dictionary of American English Words.
The hypothesis of this paper is following:
American English was formed in general under the influence of environment and with the help of borrowings.
Though the topic about peculiarities of American English were widely discussed among researchers, in this paper we want to emphasize especially the origin of American words, to investigate borrowings in American Language and to observe the way American English was formed in the sphere of vocabulary.
Problems of the work paper:
1. To define the specific spheres of vocabulary where American English developed in its own way.
2. To investigate the etymology of the American English words from the specific spheres.
In this paper we used such methods as:
1. Descriptive method.
2. Comparative-historical method.
3. Contrastive method.
The scientific novelty of the paper:
We investigated certain spheres of American English vocabulary, picked out words connected with this spheres. We analyzed the etymology of these words. Also we studied the way borrowings penetrated into American English, investigated the sources of this borrowings. In our work paper we especially emphasized the origin of American English words and their cultural background.
The theoretical value of this work is following:
The given work can be used for the lectures on Lexicology, especially connected with the etymology of American English words.
The practical value of the given work is following:
The etymological dictionary can be used for the seminars and lectures on Lexicology and the History of American English variety.
The structure of my work is following:
The Theoretical part includes:
1. The historical background of American English where its described the appearance of American language, the history of the terms American and Americanism and other interesting facts about American English.
2. The description of dialects of American English. Especially the main dialects are described. There are three overall, major ones: the New England, the Southern, and the General American (sometimes erroneously called the Midwest or Western dialect).
3. The description of differences between British English and American English. The most obvious and representative differences between British English and American English include three major ones:
1. Differences in American and English Vocabulary.
2. Differences in American and English Pronunciation.
3. Differences in American and English Spelling.
The Practical part includes:
1. Selected American English words were divided into definite groups with the common theme. Words were investigated in their origin and etymology. There we have presented the appearance of peculiarities in American English and the dates of recording of definite words.