Modern English Research Articles

Tracing the origins and grammaticalization path of Irish English habitual do V: an analysis of the 1641 Depositions

Abstract This article addresses the use of the auxiliary do in affirmative declarative clauses (so-called periphrastic do) during the early stages of the shift from Irish, the Celtic language spoken in Ireland, to English as the more common vernacular language there. A corpus compiled from the digital edition of the 1641 Depositions, a collection of witness testimonies recorded after a rebellion in Ireland, is used to examine the functions of periphrastic do. The focus is on possible habitual uses, since contemporary Irish English allows for the marking of habitual aspect in ways which differ significantly from the marking of habituality in other varieties of English. The data show that a periphrasis consisting of do plus the infinitive of a lexical verb (V) is often used in the 1641 Depositions in combination with markers of duration, yielding a habitual interpretation. It is argued that such uses, whose existence in the superstratal variety, Early Modern British English, has not been established, provided the conditions for the exaptation of do as a dedicated marker of habitual aspect, on the model of the habitual categories found in the verbal system of Irish.

The Role of Language in Shaping Literary Identity: A Comparative Study of Modern English Literature

The Role of Language in Shaping Literary Identity is a crucial topic of great interest among researchers and critics. It has occupied the foreground of academic study. With respect to modern English literature, the function of language is not merely confined to communication; it plays a vital role in shaping the identity of both the author and the text. Relevantly, language influences the way the writers draw character sketches in their literary works and how they tackle themes and narrative structures. The main objective of this research is to explore how language acts as a tool of expression to shape literary identity in the works of modern English literature. To relieve the task of academic research, some representative literary texts have been selectively chosen. Bearing in mind that some areas of research still need to be brought into the scope of literary discussion, the study focuses on comparing the works of different authors from a diverse range of backgrounds, genres, and cultural contexts within the English-speaking world in the modern times. The interactive relationship between language and literary identity is investigated; the study seeks to trace how language reflects and constructs the identities of writers and their narratives in the context of modernity. The research attempts an outline of literature review, illuminating the topic perspectives and highlighting the role of language in shaping literary identity. The study also adopts an analytical, comparative approach, supported with authenticated references and insights: selected texts are linguistically, contextually and thematically analyzed.The conclusion draws lines together, providing a deeper understanding of the intersection between language, identity, and literature in the contemporary world of English literature.

Representation of threatening speech in Late Modern English trials

Representation of threatening speech in Late Modern English trials

Tracing the development of the perfect alternation in Early Modern English

Tracing the development of the perfect alternation in Early Modern English

ПРАКТИКО-ОРІЄНТОВАНИЙ ПІДХІД ДО ВИКЛАДАННЯ ДИСЦИПЛІНИ «ІСТОРІЯ АНГЛІЙСЬКОЇ МОВИ» НА ФІЛОЛОГІЧНИХ ФАКУЛЬТЕТАХ ЗАКЛАДІВ ВИЩОЇ ОСВІТИ

The article deals with a practice-oriented approach to teaching the discipline “History of the English Language” at the philological faculties of higher education institutions, with an emphasis on combining theoretical education and training practical skills in their usage for explaining language phenomena and ties in communicative situations at different historical stages. Since this course combines historical, linguistic and cultural aspects, it is important to develop students' ability not only to learn theoretical foundations but also to apply this knowledge in real-life language contexts. The main principles of the practice-oriented approach are interactivity and the connection of theory with practice. The use of active learning methods, such as role-playing games, project activities, and group work, promotes deeper student engagement in the educational process. In particular, role-playing games allow you to project certain language situations at different stages of the formation of a foreign language system, involve students in defining and explaining language constructions and phenomena, and analyze the impact of certain historical processes on the modern system of the English language, which, in turn, will provide a better understanding of the historical, social, and cultural factors of the language evolution as a whole. In this aspect, tasks that involve the analysis of authentic texts from different historical periods and the practice of translating texts from Old English or Middle English into modern English become important. The use of contextual exercises during practical lessons in the discipline "History of the English language", which help students understand language changes through practical tasks, is also an effective tool in the educational process. As a result of the practice-oriented approach, students not only acquire theoretical knowledge, but also learn to apply it in practice, which significantly improves the quality of their professional training. This approach allows students to develop the necessary skills for a deep understanding and interpretation of language changes, and provides a holistic perception of the history of the English language in the context of cultural and social processes, which is important for their future professional activities.

The Influence of Technology on Contemporary English Vocabulary: Neologisms and Digital Discourse

This qualitative research explores the impact of technology on contemporary English vocabulary, focusing on neologisms and digital discourse. The study was conducted through semi-structured interviews with 12 English-speaking teachers from universities in Punjab, Pakistan, chosen for their deep engagement with both language and technology. The research aimed to understand how technological advancements influence language use in academic and professional contexts. Data collection was done via interviews, and the subsequent thematic analysis was carried out to extract dominant themes and trends. It was evident that there was significant change in words used due to the introduction of new neologisms, such as "selfie," "meme," "hashtag," and "streaming," all of which have their origin from the digital age. Moreover, other digital terminologies like "cloud computing," "IoT," and "AI" have become extensively absorbed, indicating a growing trend toward the convergence of technology and language. The study also found changes in communication styles, which include increased informality in teaching and professional settings, where there is a presence of abbreviations, emojis, and slang. These changes represent a broader shift toward digital discourse, in which social media has significantly impacted the use of language. Regarding teaching practices, technology has become an integral part of methodologies through interactive tools and digital assignments, further changing the learning environment. However, though some participants adopted these new lexical elements, others opposed them and stuck to the original vocabulary. Thus, this research demonstrates the extent to which technology impacts language: opportunities and challenges in the developing vocabulary of modern English.

Bigamy and Domestic Politics in Early Modern English Domestic Dramas: Taking The Tragedy of M. Arden of Feuershame as an Example

This study explores the causes of bigamy in The Tragedy of M. Arden of Feuershame and its impact on both family and society. It highlights how the rise of commercial trade forced Arden, as a husband, to frequently leave his household, creating a power vacuum and neglect in family management that ultimately led to bigamy. The study also delves into the broader societal implications of bigamy, particularly how the murder of a husband is classified as petty treason-an act that symbolizes the collapse of patriarchal authority and the consequent disruption of communal order. The play is notable for its portrayal of Alice with two husbands, setting it apart from conventional bigamy cases. By examining the internal power dynamics within the family, this study demonstrates how bigamy destabilizes household harmony and reflects the gradual erosion of patriarchal authority in early modern England. Furthermore, the play holds significant literary value beyond its historical context. As New Historicism asserts, texts are inherently historical, providing profound insights into the societal and cultural dynamics of their time. Through its analysis of Arden's story, this study deepens our understanding of the causes and consequences of bigamy in early modern England.

British history at Tate Britain post-Brexit: Rich, white men and space invaders

In 2023, Tate Britain rehung its semi-permanent collections display as a revisionist history of Britain. This major curatorial project makes compelling storytelling. Its critically engaged approach opens British art and history to wider interpretations. At the same time, the display elevates rich, white men. Drawing on a range of theoretical literature from cultural studies, sociology and art history, this article considers how Tate Britain operationalises difference and hierarchy as a British inheritance post-Brexit. I argue that key areas early in the first section of the display, Historic and Early Modern British Art (1550 to 1930), augment a rich, white, male hegemony, against which ‘others’, people of colour, the working classes and (some) white women, are presented as what Nirmal Puwar calls ‘space invaders’. I explore how curatorial revisions and other display strategies – chronology, staging, portraiture and binaries – both disrupt and reinforce the hegemony. The article includes my drawings of key areas of the display, which guide my research.

The Problems of Linguistic Analysis of Elliptical Sentences in Modern English

Elliptical sentences, characterized by the omission of contextually inferable elements, present unique challenges in linguistic analysis. These constructions, though prevalent in both spoken and written discourse, require careful consideration of syntactic, pragmatic, and cognitive factors for accurate interpretation. This paper explores the complexities of elliptical sentences in Modern English, drawing on various linguistic theories and methodological approaches, including transformational-generative grammar, pragmatic inference, and corpus-based analysis. The findings indicate that ellipsis is widely used in informal communication and advertising, while its interpretation often relies on contextual cues, leading to potential ambiguity. The discussion highlights the difficulties posed by regional and stylistic variations, as well as the implications for natural language processing and language teaching. The paper concludes by emphasizing the need for a multidisciplinary approach to fully grasp the intricacies of elliptical constructions and their broader applications in linguistic research and education.

Modern English Studies: New Trends in Language Research

The article provides a concise overview of the International Scientific Conference “English Studies in the Third Millennium: New Approaches and Development Trends,” held at the Belarusian State University on October 3–5, 2024 in Minsk, Belarus. The conference brought together over 100 scholars, educators, and researchers from Belarus, Russia, and Oman, representing a wide range of academic institutions. The event, organized by the Belarusian State University, the Institute of Linguistics of the Russian Academy of Sciences, and the Moscow State Linguistic University, aimed to explore contemporary trends in theoretical and applied linguistics through the lens of interdisciplinary approaches such as cognitive linguistics, digital linguistics, intercultural communication, and multimodal studies. The conference featured plenary and sectional sessions, with presentations by leading experts in the field who discussed topics ranging from discourse analysis and linguistic narratives to the role of language in cultural identity and conflict resolution. Researchers also addressed emerging issues in English studies, such as the impact of globalization on linguistic norms, the functional dynamics of English language units, and the interconnection of language and culture. Beyond academic exchange, the conference facilitated cultural and professional networking, emphasizing the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in addressing the challenges of modern linguistics.

English Language Students’ Familiarity on English Slang Words

This study examines the extent of English slang knowledge among students enrolled in English language programs and their perceptions of using films as a tool for enhancing their understanding of slang. A total of 98 participants were surveyed, comprising 58 students from the Bachelor of Arts in English Language Studies (AB-ELS) program and 40 from the Bachelor of Science in Education Major in English (BSE-English) program. The results indicate that students from the AB-ELS program achieved a familiarity rate of 93% with English academic slang, while those from the BSE-English program reached a perfect score of 100%. This outcome suggests a strong overall understanding of common academic slang among participants, though familiarity with specific slang terms ranged from moderate to low, depending on the vocabulary presented. The study also highlights the positive role of films in facilitating slang acquisition. Most participants agreed that regular exposure to movies has significantly contributed to their understanding and retention of slang vocabulary. This result underscores the importance of contextual and visual media in language learning. Furthermore, the analysis reveals a strong correlation between the respondents’ demographic profiles and their knowledge of English slang. However, no significant relationship was found between their demographic characteristics and their views on using films to improve slang knowledge. These results have meaningful implications for teaching practices and curriculum design. Both groups’ strong familiarity with slang suggests the potential of integrating slang-oriented lessons and materials into language programs. Additionally, the positive reception of films as a learning tool supports the use of multimedia resources to foster language acquisition. Educators may enhance students’ engagement and proficiency in modern English usage by incorporating film-based activities and assessments.

The Way They Read Then: Early Modern English Erotica

The Way They Read Then: Early Modern English Erotica

Knolles' The Generall Historie of the Turkes in Early Modern English Literature

Knolles' The Generall Historie of the Turkes in Early Modern English Literature

In search of the beginnings of a foodsemic boom in the history of English

Food unquestionably plays a vital role in our lives, as it is essential for our day-to-day existence. It is multifacetedly mirrored in the way we picture the world and communicate with one another. Frequently, food names are deployed metaphorically/metonymically to conceptualize either human beings themselves and/or various aspects and features of their existence. Sometimes, such metaphors are analysed from a synchronic perspective, for example by Martsa (2001, 2013) and Kövecses (2002) and they are perceived as a means of communication. However, food metaphors may be analysed from a diachronic perspective and, as shown by Kleparski (2008, 2012), Kudła (2009, 2016), and Kowalczyk (2015, 2017) among others, in the history of English, food metaphors are traceable in various historically distant periods, and abound especially in most recent periods of the history of English when there are high levels of foodsemic figurative extensions. As shown by Kowalczyk (2024), between the years 1800-1950, there were over 130 cases of food-related metaphor. These numbers stand in sharp contrast to the humble beginnings of food metaphor in Old English and the Early Modern English period. The aim of this paper is to specify the period of intensification and heightened productivity of this phenomenon. The 16th century will be highlighted as the time of a true foodsemic boom that sparked off the process of blooming of this metaphorical mechanism. In the late Middle English period, which spans the 14th and 15th century, only a handful of food-related metaphors are registered and supported by historical lexicographic sources. By contrast, during the course of the 16th century, there were around two dozen food-related cases of metaphorization.

ВИКОРИСТАННЯ IT ТЕХНОЛОГІЙ У НАВЧАННІ АНГЛІЙСЬКОЇ МОВИ В СЕРЕДНІЙ ШКОЛІ

The article examines the methodology of using IT technologies in secondary school English language teaching, as well as an assessment of their effectiveness through experimental research. Today, the educational process involves the integration of innovative technologies such as mobile applications, interactive exercises, and online platforms that Журнал крос-культурної освіти/ Journal of Cross-Cultural Education. № 4 2024 8 contribute to improving the quality of education and enhancing students' motivation. The scientific novelty lies in an experimental study conducted at Lutsk Lyceum No. 22, aimed at identifying the most productive IT technologies in teaching spelling, vocabulary, listening and grammar of modern English. Methods such as pedagogical experiments, statistical analysis of test results, and observation of changes in students' motivation and communication skills confirm the validity of the conclusions. The findings showed that the integration of IT technologies improves students' average scores in grammar, listening, and overall language proficiency, as well as their motivation for learning and independent work. Based on the data obtained, practical recommendations for teachers have been proposed. These include enhancing teacher training through workshops, integrating IT technologies at all stages of learning, using elements of gamification and interactive platforms, and regularly monitoring their effectiveness. The results of the experiment suggest that wide use of such technologies in educational institutions is advisable, as it ensures high-quality learning, the development of communication skills, and increased student motivation. For example, Duolingo and Memrise help expand vocabulary, Grammarly improves writing and editing skills, TED-Ed and YouTube develop listening skills, Google Classroom and Moodle enhance students' organizational skills, while Kahoot and LearningApps facilitate learning through interactive tasks. All these provide a modern and high-quality approach to learning.

Способы дипломатических отношений: когнитивнокоммуникативный подход (на материале современного английского языка)

e linguistic study of diplomatic relations is a complex problem, which is considered by representatives of different scientific schools, with their own research perspectives. The databases of scientific literature contain materials on communicative linguistics, language theory, cognitive linguistics and other disciplines that form the basis for modern research in this field. The purpose of the work is to consider the methods of diplomatic relations from the standpoint of a cognitive-communicative approach in modern English. The stated approach involves studying the structures of knowledge about diplomatic relations in correlation with the means of their representation in communication processes. Based on an extensive selection of scientific literature and dictionaries, a conceptual and definitional analysis has been carried out to determine the structure of the DIPLOMACY concept. There have been singled out both central (SKILL, RELATIONS, CONDUCT) and non-central characteristics (NEGOTIATION, MANAGE, TACT, etc.) The classification criteria have been identified with the sources of factual material reflecting 30 ways of diplomatic relations. The data on the types of diplomacy have been presented in accordance with the highlighted conceptual characteristics. In the future, the results of the study will be used to describe the interpretation of diplomatic relations in the context of various conceptual areas. It is also promising to study the cognitive models underlying the structures of knowledge about the methods of diplomatic relations, as well as to determine the cognitive and linguistic mechanisms of secondary interpretation of diplomatic relations in English. The applied aspect is the systematization of linguistic means of representation of diplomatic relations in communication.

Musical topics, (self-)narrativity and adaptation in my recent composition Pearl

This exposition charts the creation and musical-narrative structure of Pearl, my recent composition for symphony chorus, orchestra, and solo baritone: a setting of extracts from the medieval poem Perle, translated into modern English by Simon Armitage, commissioned as part of the BBC Proms in 2022. Envisioned as a contemporary adaptation of the poem’s historically distant, yet somehow timelessly poignant and continually resonant story, Pearl takes the form of a musical narrative that evokes both past and present, through personal and more universal reflections on the nature of loss, grief, and acceptance. By drawing together analytical techniques taken from musical theories of narrative (principally Byron Almén 2008), musical topics, and the adaptation of narratives across media (Marie-Laure Ryan 2014), with a self-narrative approach to documenting my practice in action (as advocated by Christopher Leedham and Martin Scheuregger 2018), I unpack my creative approach to Pearl in what might be understood as ‘bricolage’ as proposed by Robyn Stewart (2007). Constructing a ‘new story’ through a ‘plurality of approaches’, I adopt Stewart’s methodological eclecticism to theorize and situate the work as a musical narrative. However, through the slippage that occurs between narratology and self-narrativization, Pearl is shown to also mirror and situate my personal artistic experiences as a contemporary practitioner. In response to the recent and ongoing debate about the nature and validity of Practice Research in Composition, the article addresses calls to share the ‘messy, complicated, uncertain, and soft’ (Arthur Bochner 2000) aspects of the artistic process suggesting a more open, and even collaborative, role for the sharing of compositional research. <style> /* rules to make button only show up in META */ .download-accessible { display:none; } .meta-right-col .download-accessible { display: inline-block; padding: 9px; margin-bottom:25px; border: 1px solid black; background-color:white; } </style> <a class="download-accessible" href="/profile/download-media?work=2936353&file=3307181" title="This accessible PDF is a derivative of the original which it is meant to support and not replace.">Download Accessible PDF</a>

The Matrix of Cognitive Filters as a Tool for the Analysis of Linguocreatemes in Modern English Discourse

This study is devoted to the development of the author’s method “The Matrix of Cognitive Filters” (MCF). It is used to model the process of inferring the meaning of creative elements (linguocreatemes) in multimodal online discourse. To accomplish this task, key cognitive mechanisms for generating the meaning of linguocreatemes were identified and researched. These are banner blindness, evaluative categorization and conceptualization, (de)compression of information and profiling, conceptual metaphor, conceptual metaphtonymy, and conceptual integration. Monomodal verbal and multimodal linguocreatemes (more than 18,000 units) were selected with a continuous sampling method from English-language Internet resources, visual and verbal corpora. Theoretical analysis showed that the MCF can be used to model the overall ability of a linguocreateme to initiate cognitive resonance in a recipient. This method also allows for the collection of data on the probabilistic prediction of the level of cognitive resonance and positive or negative dissonance in an addressee. The empirical data obtained during a practical linguistic-cognitive experiment among English-speaking respondents from across countries confirmed the theoretical results of the study. The participants had to infer the general meanings of several multimodal linguocreatemes in accordance with the MCF. The experiment confirmed the feasibility of using this method to assess the occurrence of cognitive resonance, positive or negative dissonance, as well as obtaining additional data on the recipient’s reactions to different linguocreatemes in English online discourse.

Unknown Pages of English-Georgian Lexicography (George Ellis and his Comparative Lexicon of Kartvelian Languages)

In 1788 a book was published by the British author George Ellis in London under the title Memoir of a Map of the Countries Comprehended Between the Black Sea, and the Caspian, with an Account of the Caucasian Nations and Vocabularies of their Languages. The book describes the history, culture, and religion of the peoples of the Caucasus, and provides information about the languages ​​spoken in the Caucasus region. While discussing the countries of the Caucasus, a certain space is dedicated to Georgia with geographic, political and ethnographic information, which is followed by a small comparative lexicon of the Kartvelian languages. It is noteworthy that the author is interested not only in the Georgian language, but also in the other Kartvelian languages, and the book contains material of Megrelian and Svan ​​along with Georgian. It can be said that the lexicographic material included in this book is the first example of describing the material of Kartvelian languages for English readers. Our article provides short information about the book itself, and discusses George Ellis's Comparative Lexicon of Kartvelian Languages ​​and its sources. Special attention is paid to the transliteration rules of Kartvelian words into English, which are mainly based on the rules of Modern English spelling. G. Ellis’ Comparative Lexicon of the Kartvelian Languages is important for the study of early stages in the history of English-Georgian lexicography; it is also interesting in the context of linguistic affinity, as the Kartvelian languages are presented in it exactly from this point of view.

Idiomatic Space of Anthroposemic Substantival Bahuvrihi with a Zoonym Component and its Semantic Modelling in Modern English

The article considers the versatility in perception of a person's appearance and streaks of character through the phenomenon of bakhuvrihi with a zoonym component according to conceptual pattern: OBJECT (ZOONYM) -> HUMAN / PART OF THE HUMAN BODY, where ZOONYM acts as a conception referred to by a word, and HUMAN / PART OF THE HUMAN BODY - a conception recognized as a target. This study focuses upon the new integrated approach to the anthroposemic substantival bahuvrihi with a zoonym component in the cognitive and semantic perspectives. The choice of such bahuvrihi is justified by the fact that the "zoonym-words" are perhaps the most proliferous lexical source of the items with positive or negative connotation, firmly based on traditions in specific cultural contexts and are traces of mythical thinking. Idiomatic space of anthroposemic substantival bahuvrihi with a zoonym component appears to be a complex structure of knowledge about humankind in biological, mental and social dimensions.