1. Why and how does language change over time?
Evolution of language
Why and how does language change over time?

2. A CURIOUS INCIDENT
In chapter 107 Christopher includes a couple of quotes from his favorite novel, The Hound of the Baskervilles. He says that the first one is written in “old language which is difficult to understand.” It is obviously English, but it is, indeed difficult to understand. Why is it that we do not speak like this anymore?
What are some of the slang words you came up with? How did they develop? Will they stay with us or not?

3. OLD ENGLISH VS. “MODERN” ENGLISH
Take a moment to read “Changing Language”
What does this tell you about the language you use every day?
How and why are new words and phrases adopted while others get left behind?
How do we decide what to keep and what to throw out?
How does technological change affect the way language is used and the way communication takes place? How might innovations in language, such as Internet chat or text messaging, be assessed: as contributions to or assaults against how language and communication “should be”?

4. A CURIOUS INCIDENT
In Chapter 29 Christopher explains how and why metaphors confuse him. Do you remember what he said about them? What is an example of a metaphor?
Why do we use metaphors? How easy are they to understand? Are they unique to the English language?
I picked up some comparative (across cultures) metaphors from
Please know that these metaphors are based on the “vehicle” of chicken/chick. (A vehicle in a metaphor is the thing that people of a common culture understand that makes the metaphor work). The “ground” is what it is commonly understood to mean in that culture.

5. VEHICLE: CHICKEN/CHICK
US ground: "chicken" = coward; "spring chicken" = a youthful, active, agile person; "chick" = a young, single woman ["chick" is used by men with men.  It is not considered rude, but is not used to a woman's face]
UK ground: same
AU ground: same
CA ground: same [BUT, the Canadians that I know consider "chick" to be a very politically incorrect term]
DU ground: "chicken" = coward; (and sometimes) police officer
RU ground: "chick" = child
KO ground: "chick" = young adult
SP ground:  pollo = easily drunken person

6. A CURIOUS INCIDENT
Do you find some of these metaphors odd? Why/why not? Why do people continue to use metaphors even though they can be so confusing to those who do not know them?
In Chapter 31 Christopher explains how a simile is different from a metaphor. Do similes make more sense than metaphors? Why/why not?
How important are similes to the spoken language? To written language? Can similes become confusing like metaphors to those of different cultural backgrounds? Explain.

7. GEORGE ORWELL’S NIGHTMARE
What did you think about the “Excerpt from 1984” ?
Is it reasonable to argue for the preservation of established forms of language, for example, as concerns grammar, spelling, syntax, meaning or use?
Is one language common to the whole world a defensible project?

8. ORWELL’S REAL NIGHMARE
What is the role of language in creating and reinforcing social distinctions, such as class, ethnicity and gender?
What is the role of language in sustaining relationships of authority? Do people speak the same way to inferiors and superiors in a hierarchy? Does the professional authority speak in the same way as the person seeking opinion or advice? Can control of written language create or reinforce power?