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Documente Cultură
A History of
the English
Language
Old English
Middle English
Early Modern
1500-1700
English
1700-1900 Modern English
Late Modern
1900-present
English
An introduction
When analysing how language has
changed, the following need to be
considered for each period:
Semantics
Lexis
Syntax
Phonology
Graphology
5% Greek
7.5% Latin
40% Anglo Saxon
15% Norse
30% French
2.5% other languages
Old
English
years 450-1150
OLD ENGLISH
Context
Celts had been invaded by the Romans which brought
Latin words into the language
Germanic tribes then invaded England (5th century) and
established the Anglo Saxon Heptarchy (a collective name
applied to the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of south, east, and
central Great Britain) and introduced their language
Celtic words are rare in modern English, although Celtic
languages do still remain: Welsh, Irish, Gaelic and Cornish
The conversion of the Anglo Saxons to Christianity began
in the late 6th century meaning a large amount of the texts
that have been found of this time are religious
Vikings began to invade at the end of the 8th century. Their
Old Norse language resembled that of the Anglo Saxon
invaders and much of its vocabulary was absorbed
OLD ENGLISH
OLD ENGLISH
Archaic words
Fulsome: rich, plentiful
Onuppan: above
Pudh: horrible
Yore: years ago
Fere: friend, companion
Beseech: request, ask
Nary: none, nothing
OLD ENGLISH
UNES
1000
1066
1150
OLD ENGLISH
Examples of texts
The following text is from the Anglo
Saxon Chronicle a text from the 19th
century from Alfred the Great who
decided to compile important events.
Translation
OLD ENGLISH
Middle
English
years 1150-1500
MIDDLE ENGLISH
Context
This period followed the Norman invasion which brought a lot of French into the
language. This is because William, Duke of Normandy, crowned himself the king
of England but only spoke French. This meant English was considered as only
suitable for lower classes
As a result of the Black Death, however, (1348-1351) there was a need for
working class labourers. These people all spoke English, which led to a rise in the
language
The printing press arrived near the end of the period (1476) from William Caxton.
He printed all kinds of texts and in the following 150 years around 20,000 books
were printed. This led to improved literacy rates and lowered price of books.
Printers were able to choose which grammar and spellings to use, leading to a
more standardised language
The accessibility of texts led to an increased interest in literature
The society was very religious at the time (influencing attitudes and also the texts
written at the time)
There was a lack of medical knowledge, so illness was a constant threat
Exploration of the New World brought new words from across the empire,
including coffee, yoghurt, kiosk (Turkish) and bizarre, chocolate, vogue (French)
MIDDLE ENGLISH
Key texts
Chaucers Canterbury Tales
Written from 1387, using romantic language
(Latin and French). The influence of this is
shown through other literary texts produced
after the tales were published
MIDDLE ENGLISH
Key dates
1171
1476
1500
MIDDLE ENGLISH
Examples of texts
Chaucer
A knyght ther was, and that a worthy
man,
That fro the tyme that he first bigan
To riden out, he loved chivalrie,
Trouthe and honour, fredom and
curteisie.
Ful worthy was he in his lordes werre,
And therto hadde he riden, no man
ferre,
As wel in cristendom as in
hethenesse,
And evere honoured for his
worthynesse.
At alisaundre he was whan it was
wonne.
MIDDLE ENGLISH
Translation
A knight there was, and he a worthy
man,
Who, from the moment that he first
began
To ride about the world, loved
chivalry,
Truth, honour, freedom and all
courtesy.
Full worthy was he in his liege-lords
war,
And therein had he ridden (none
more far)
As well in Christendom as
heathenesse,
And honoured everywhere for
worthiness.
Early
Modern
English
years 1500-1700
EARLY MODERN ENGLISH
Context
The printing press (established in the Middle English period)
meant spellings became more fixed and established
Science became a key factor in language change as more
discoveries were made. Many words introduced through
scientists were loan words which had been borrowed from
other languages as people struggled to name their
discoveries
Religion was still just as important in society as it had always
been (during this period the protestant reformation occurred,
which also could have informed the language / attitudes )
Exploration and colonisation also affected the use of language
and meant more words were picked up
The Renaissance led to a growth in interest in classical
culture, contrasting to the intellectual sterility of medieval
times
Latin was still spoken and was influential of the English
language, aided by the Renaissance
EARLY MODERN ENGLISH
Ambiguous
Colossal
Emotion
Exaggerate
History
Immense
Intellect
Magnificent
Monopoly
Nation
Opponent
Quotation
Ultimate
Vacuum
Shakespeare (1564-1616)
Shakespeare made a huge impact on the English
language, leading to a more romantic style of
literature, with French and Italian influences (as well
as creating his own words)
He reduced inflections on endings of words, which led
to grammatical conversion (particularly making verbs
from nouns), e.g. season your admiration,
destruction shall dog them at their heels, I, who at
Phillipi, the great Brutus ghosted
He also introduced idiomatic expressions into normal
language, e.g. in my minds eye, a tower of strength,
be cruel only to be kind, love is blind
His use of hyphenated compounds also proved
influential, often to form new words e.g. faire-play, illtuned, pell-mell
EARLY MODERN ENGLISH
Key dates
1450-1650
1509
1534
Tynedales Bible was released the first English version of the Bible
1549
1558
1564-1616
1611
1622
1721
Examples of texts
Extract from Shakespeares The Tempest
Where should this music be? Ithe air or the earth?
It sounds no more; and, sure, it waits upon
Some god othe island. Sitting on a bank,
Weeping again the King my fathers wreck,
This music crept by me upon the waters,
Allaying both their fury and my passion (line 395)
With its sweet air. Thence I have followed it
Or it hath drawn me rather. But tis gone.
No, it begins again.
EARLY MODERN ENGLISH
Modern
English
years 1700-1900
MODERN ENGLISH
Context
The industrial revolution influenced the English language
as new ideas and contraptions were being invented,
along with a range of new fields people could work in
English started to become an international language at
this point. New varieties such as American English and
Indian English began to form. The expansion of the
British Empire (19th century) and growing superpower
status of the US (20th century) also influenced our
language, as evident in the Americanisms in everyday
modern use
Cultural issues at this time included womens and
childrens rights. Religion also continued to play an
important role in society
MODERN ENGLISH
MODERN ENGLISH
Key dates
1755
Johnsons dictionary is published
1760-1820/40 Industrial revolution
Expansion of the British Empire brings
1800s
other words into our language as well as
taking English words into others
Webster publishes books on grammar,
1828
creating standards for grammar as well as
spelling
MODERN ENGLISH
Late
Modern
English
years 1900-present
LATE MODERN ENGLISH
Context
Technology has become one of the main influences of modern language,
as well as pop culture (celebrity obsessions, tabloids, gossip
publications)
Text speak such as lol and omg has filtered through into everyday
usage, including spoken language
The Internet, texting, new gadgets (iPads, Kindles) come with entirely
new lexical sets as well as jargon and specialist language
Attitudes in society change: the importance of belief and religion has
lessened (we are in more of a secular society). Attitudes towards
females and sexuality are slowly shifting. World wars, terrorism and
environmental threats also impact values and attitudes in society
English is now very much a global language, with many influences and
new words being created constantly
Regional differences in England have lessened, aided by widespread
education, standardisation of language and the media (where the
Internet has increased accessibility to types of language)
LATE MODERN ENGLISH
Key dates
1914-1918
World War I
1922
BBC founded
1928
1939-1945
World War II
1961
1988
1994
2006