B1) "Hath" vs. "has", "maketh" vs. "makes" in the Early English Prose Fiction database

Database: Early English Prose Fiction (EEPF)

Programs: Integrated search interface

Tasks:

• The 3rd person singular present tense inflection changed from hath to has and from maketh vs. makes in the course of the Early Modern English period. Find out how the preferences evolved over time (in stages of around 60 years each).
• Take into accoung spelling variants.
• Compare the percentages of the rivalling inflections for the two verbs in each time period.
• If you have time and you think it makes sense, continue the same analysis for the 18^th century collection Eighteenth Century Fiction (also available via DBIS).

Notes:

• The database can be accessed via DBIS: http://rzblx10.uni-regensburg.de/dbinfo/detail.php?bib_id=ub_ba&colors=&ocolors=&lett=fs&tid=0&titel_id=2622
• Some instructions for use can be found here: Chadwyck-Healey instructions