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History of the English Language. “Those who are unaware of history are destined to repeat it” – George Santayana. What do these words have in common? . Lunar. Saga. Abandon. Whiskey. Plethora. Kindergarten. Penguin. English has gone through 4 major periods:
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History of the English Language “Those who are unaware of history are destined to repeat it” – George Santayana
What do these words have in common? Lunar Saga Abandon Whiskey Plethora Kindergarten Penguin
English has gone through 4 major periods: • Old English (5th Century - 11th Century AD) • Middle English (11th Century - 15th Century AD) • Early Modern English (15thcentury - 17th century AD) • Modern English (17th Century – Present) 4 Phases of English
Celtic tribes were some of the earliest settlers of the British Isles. By 100 BCE Celtic tribes were the dominant culture on the islands. Languages with Celtic origin exist today: Gaelic (Irish), Welsh. They have impacted modern English. Before Old English
Before Old English: Roman Rule The Roman Empire entered Britain in the 1st Century AD. Latin was the official language of government. Latin later evolved into the “Romance Languages”, namely: Spanish, Italian, French and Portuguese. There are many Latin words in English, and these are often similar or identical to words in Spanish or Italian.
The Anglo-Saxon Invasion Starting in the late 400s after the collapse of the Roman Empire, Germanic tribes invaded the British Isles. The Jutes, Angles, and Saxons, and also Frisians migrated. These tribes spoke Germanic languages. English grammar is closest to German. These Germanic tribes laid the foundation for Old English.
Old English is Born By around 600 AD, the Germanic tribes controlled most of the British population. Celtic groups continued to exist. Old English was formed from a mix of the Germanic groups’ languages, Latin, and pieces of the Celtic language. Old English is virtually impossible for a Modern English speaker to understand.
Example of Old English TheLordsPrayer Fæderureðuðeeartonheofenumsi ðinnamagehalgodto-becumeðin ricegeweorþeðinwillaoneorðanswaswaonheofenum.Urne ge dæghwamlicanhlafsyleusto-deagand forgyfusuregyltasswaswaweforgifaþurumgyltendumanenegelædeðuusoncostnungeacalysus of yfle.
Viking Invasions Vikings began invading around the 9th century. The conquered much of the British Isles. English has words of Norse origin today. Beowulf is a Viking tale written in Old English.
Middle English and the Normans In 1066 the Normans (From Normandy, now France) led by William the Conqueror invaded the British Isles. Norman (pre-French) became the official government language. Nobles used it. English remained the common man’s language. But the languages blended. As a result, there are many duplicate words. “Formal” speech uses more Latin/French words. Middle English established the alphabet we use today. Chaucer wrote the Canterbury Tales in Middle English
Example of Middle English TheLordsPrayer Ourefadirthat art in heuenes,halewid be thiname;thikyngdoom come to;be thiwille don, in erthe as in heuene.Yyueto vs thisdaiourebreedouerothirsubstaunce,and foryyueto vs ouredettis, as weforyyuentoouredettouris;and lede vs not in totemptacioun, butdelyuere vs froyuel. Amen.
Early Modern English England unified under the Tudor Dynasty, first led by King Henry VII in the 15th century. The Printing press allowed texts to be mass-produced in a single style. The government pushed for a standardized English form, this would be Early Modern English. English drama emerged during this time. EModE is relatively easy for native English speakers to understand.
Example of EModE TheLordsPrayer Our father which art in heauen, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdome come. Thy will be done, in earth, as it is in heauen. Giuevs this day our daily bread. And forgiuevs our debts, as we forgiue our debters. And lead vs not into temptation, but deliuervs from euill: For thine is the kingdome, and the power, and the glory, for euer, Amen
Modern English Today Modern English wasestablishedwithdictionarieswritten in the 18th and 19th centuries. Thiseliminatedthespellingirregularitiesthatplaguedthelanguagebefore. Today, English continuestoevolve. Itadoptswordsfromotherlanguages, invents new words, and changesaccordingtoits culture. Texting Antibiotic Twerking Computer Download Tweet Seatbelt