Between the early stages of scientific writing in the late Middle English period and today, there have been significant changes in the grammatical properties and the rhetorical strategies of scientific discourse. These developments had an influence on the style of scientific writing, resulting in the change from a narrative towards a more argumentative style. According to this, the purpose of the present essay is to consider, from a historical stance, the evolution of linguistic features in the English scientific register. Thus, the essay takes into account several examples of linguistic features which are characteristic of late Middle English and Early Modern English scientific writing. Based on these examples, it is further the aim of my essay to provide an overview of the evolution of the English scientific register concerning its grammatical properties and rhetorical strategies up to the present day.
Table of Contents
1 Introduction
2 The process of standardisation and vernacularisation from late Middle English to Early Modern English
2.1. English versus Latin
2.2. The role of translation
3. Evolution of the English scientific register
3.1. Term definition: SCIENTIFIC ENGLISH
3.2. Contextual dimensions in the production and transmission of early scientific writing
3.3. Evolution of linguistic features in the organisation of scientific discourse
3.3.1. Evolution of emotive features in scientific writing
3.3.2. Evolution in the scale from learned to popular forms of scientific writing
3.3.3. Evolution in patterns of agentivity and narrativity in scientific writing
3.3.4. Evolution in the principles of botanical discourse organisation
4. Evolution of scientific prose
5. Conclusion
Objectives and Thematic Focus
The primary objective of this work is to provide a historical overview of the development of the English scientific register, specifically focusing on the transition from a narrative style to a more argumentative, nominalized scientific prose. The research examines the grammatical properties and rhetorical strategies that have shaped scientific discourse from the late Middle English period to the present day.
- Standardization and vernacularization of English in scientific contexts.
- The influence of Latin translation on English scientific writing.
- Linguistic evolution of emotive features, agentivity, and narrativity.
- The scale of scientific communication from learned to popular forms.
- The historical shift from deductive to inductive reasoning and the use of hedging in modern scientific research articles.
Excerpt from the Book
3.3.1. Evolution of emotive features in scientific writing
After Old English, scientific texts and handbooks emerged again in the Late Middle English period. These scientific writings became established by members of the Royal Society in the Early Modern period who introduced a new method to science different from that of the medieval scientists. In order to further discuss the scientific register, it is important to note that this introduction of a new method in the Early Modern English period was also reflected in the language of science, resulting in varying stylistic features.
Now, in order to assess a development of stylistic variation in the scientific language due to a new method, scientific writings of the late Middle English and Early Modern English period have to be compared in reference to their varying repertoire of emotive features. Hence, Taavitsainen (1994: 333) refers in her article “On the evolution of scientific writings from 1375 to 1675: Repertoire of emotive features” to several scientific texts of the late Middle English and Early Modern English period of which I want to mention two: Of Phlebotomie (an academic treatise dealing with the theoretical foundations of bloodletting from c. 1375) as an example of the late Middle English period, and Robert Boyle’s Electricity & Magnetism (an academic text on physical science from 1675-6) as an example of the Early Modern English period. Thus, by comparing the following two texts mentioned above, it is possible to explain the features of stylistic variation in the language of scientific writing.
Summary of Chapters
1 Introduction: This chapter establishes the scope of the study, noting the historical shift from narrative to argumentative styles in scientific writing.
2 The process of standardisation and vernacularisation from late Middle English to Early Modern English: It details the establishment of English as a standard written language and its competition with Latin in scholarly domains.
2.1. English versus Latin: This section explores how early English scientific syntax imitated Latin, leading to new grammatical structures.
2.2. The role of translation: It analyzes how translations from Latin and French served as models for developing the English scientific register.
3. Evolution of the English scientific register: This chapter defines "Scientific English" and sets the stage for exploring contextual dimensions of early scientific discourse.
3.1. Term definition: SCIENTIFIC ENGLISH: It provides a functional definition of the scientific register as a dynamic, non-homogeneous semiotic space.
3.2. Contextual dimensions in the production and transmission of early scientific writing: This section covers how cultural, professional, and ideological factors influenced medieval medical treatises.
3.3. Evolution of linguistic features in the organisation of scientific discourse: An overview of the specific features that contributed to the stylistic evolution of scientific texts.
3.3.1. Evolution of emotive features in scientific writing: Compares late Middle English texts with Early Modern English texts regarding personal versus impersonal viewpoints.
3.3.2. Evolution in the scale from learned to popular forms of scientific writing: Discusses how scientific knowledge was appropriated across different social layers and genres.
3.3.3. Evolution in patterns of agentivity and narrativity in scientific writing: Explores the shift from author-centered narrative styles to static, impersonal scientific rhetoric.
3.3.4. Evolution in the principles of botanical discourse organisation: Examines the development of classification and nomenclature in botanical texts.
4. Evolution of scientific prose: This chapter discusses the origins of modern scientific rhetoric, focusing on empiricism, witnessing, and the role of hedging.
5. Conclusion: It summarizes the findings, confirming the dynamic nature of the English scientific register's linguistic and rhetorical change.
Keywords
Scientific Register, English Language History, Vernacularization, Linguistic Features, Scientific Prose, Emotive Features, Agentivity, Narrativity, Hedging, Empirical Method, Scholasticism, Nomenclature, Botanical Discourse, Royal Society, Scientific Rhetoric.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this work?
The work explores the historical evolution of the English scientific register, specifically tracking how linguistic features and rhetorical strategies have changed from the late Middle English period to the modern scientific research article.
What are the central themes of the research?
The central themes include the standardization of English, the impact of translation, the evolution of stylistic features such as narrativity and agentivity, and the development of specific rhetorical tools like hedging.
What is the core research goal?
The goal is to analyze the shift in scientific writing from a narrative-based, authority-dependent style to a nominalized, objective, and argumentative style characteristic of modern science.
Which scientific methods are analyzed?
The study examines the transition from scholastic deductive methods and the use of authority to the empirical and inductive methods popularized by the Royal Society.
What does the main body of the work cover?
It covers the process of vernacularization, the role of translation, contextual dimensions of manuscript transmission, and specific linguistic case studies such as botanical nomenclature and the evolution of emotive features.
Which keywords best characterize the paper?
Key terms include Scientific Register, Vernacularization, Hedging, Scientific Rhetoric, Agentivity, and Scholasticism.
How does the author define the shift in scientific discourse?
The author identifies a transition from an author-centered narrative mode—often seen in the epistolary style of early scientific research—to an object-centered, impersonal rhetoric that nominalizes experiences.
What role does botanical discourse play in this study?
Botanical discourse is used as a case study to illustrate the evolution of principles of discourse organization, moving from medicinal-based alphabetical systems to logical classifications based on genus and species.
Why is hedging considered a vital feature of modern science?
Hedging allows authors to express uncertainty, protect claims from potential professional damage, and demonstrate the cautious, objective attitude required in modern academic discourse.
- Citation du texte
- Hildegard Schnell (Auteur), 2009, The Evolution of the English Scientific Register, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/128944
