Written Representation Evolution Of The English Language

Written representation refers to the visual written forms occurred in the text, including spelling forms and punctuation. It occurred not only in the print text, but also in the hypertext---like the text-based CMC discourse. This thesis studies the written representation evolution within the sociolinguistic framework: the change has impact on the social context, and social context has influence on the change as well. After presenting literature review and theoretical framework this thesis introduces the diachronic spelling change of written representation, in which the thesis indicates that the main stream of written representation change is the process of establishing a standard; however, with the development of society, the awareness of identity arose: varieties and dialect occurred in the literature setting and the new coming CMC discourse shares responsibility for the casual, speech-like style that contributes much of contemporary writing representation.Written representation evolution has impact on society, and one of the important impacts is that English became a Lingua Franca among different speech communities, which resulted from language spread and language contract; and another impact is the change of communication methods resulted form the prevalence of CMC. The studyies of language impact on the society are the consequences analysises, which belong to the micro-level of the sociolinguistic study.Written representation change is influenced by forces of the sociopolitical and soicoeconomic issues. written representation has experienced a process of standardization, and Language Planning is an important reason that result in the standarization. this thesis proved that the language planning began from 15th century, Chancery English can be seen as the beginning of Standard English, John Hart's An Orthographie, the English renaissance and the codification are the important issues in the process of English standardization.The development of science and technology contributed another important factor to the written representation evolution; William Caxton was the influential person who catalyzed the printing revolution and the printing revolution brought about the great change of written representation. And the contemporary digital revolution especially the internet revolution gave rise to the new communication methods and new varieties of the written representation, the major reasons are the need for speed and the need for conciseness.This thesis aims to indicate that written representation evolution is never stopped, just like the language change is never stopped, and the changes result in the flourish of language. The language user's attitude to langue change play a large role of language development, language user should treat the change with right attitude only in this way can they make language develop healthy and flourishing.