11/17/2025
Undergrad students! If you're interested in linguistics, check out this cool course opportunity for Spring 2026! (No prior linguistics knowledge required.)
CGE 496 โ Language and Revolution: English in the Age of American Independence (also available at the 500-level!)
๐ 3 Credits | CRN 33422 | Tues & Thurs, 3:00โ4:15 PM
Summary: What happens when a nation is bornโand its language begins to change with it?
This course explores how the American Revolution transformed the English language, and how language itself helped shape revolutionary ideas, identity, and communication. Youโll trace the roots of American Englishโfrom new spellings, pronunciations, and expressions to the rise of distinctly American political speech and everyday talk. Weโll also explore the diverse voices of the era, including the influence of Native American languages and the early development of African American English within a changing social landscape.