Both these assignments are based on the following passage from Herman Melville's MOBY-DICK. #2 is due in class on Tuesday 10 February. #3 is due in class on Tuesday 17 February.
#2: For each word in the Melville passage, use a historical dictionary to discover how the word entered the English language. For words that entered from Old English, simply note that they are originally English words. For other words, give the language that English borrowed them from. Then, in each case, trace the ultimate origin of the word as far back as the dictionary will let you go. Make a chart. What percentage of these words entered English from Old English? What percentage from the other direct-source languages?
#3: Go back and study, with your dictionary, as many words in the Melville passage as you can, particularly the long and/or interesting words. Trace the historical changes in meaning that the words have undergone. Most words have several related meanings, and have undergone semantic shifts during their history in English. Note too borrowed words that have changed in meaning from their source language meanings.
Some years ago--never mind how long precisely--having little or no money in my purse, and nothing particular to interest me on shore, I thought I would sail about a little and see the watery part of the world. It is a way I have of driving off the spleen, and regulating the circulation. Whenever I find myself growing grim about the mouth; whenever it is a damp, drizzly November in my soul . . . then, I account it high time to get to sea as soon as I can. This is my substitute for pistol and ball.