history of the english language. why is english so inconsistent? through through though though bough...

History of History of the the

English English LanguageLanguage

Why is English so Why is English so inconsistent?inconsistent?

ThroughThrough ThoughThough BoughBough OughtOught CoughCough RoughRough

Linguistically Influential Periods Linguistically Influential Periods of of

Early English HistoryEarly English History

1. 1. Pre-Roman/Celtic PeriodPre-Roman/Celtic Period up to 55 B.C.up to 55 B.C.

2.2. Roman Occupation Roman Occupation 55 B.C. – 410 A.D.55 B.C. – 410 A.D.

3.3. Invasion of Angles, Saxons, & JutesInvasion of Angles, Saxons, & Jutes 410–1066 410–1066 A.D.A.D.

4.4. Norman ConquestNorman Conquest 1066 A.D. 1066 A.D.

5.5. Renaissance & Great Vowel ShiftRenaissance & Great Vowel Shift aft. 14aft. 14thth centurycentury

(1) Pre-Roman/Celtic Period(1) Pre-Roman/Celtic Period

Historical Notes:Historical Notes:

– The island we know as England was occupied The island we know as England was occupied by a race of people called the Celts. One of the by a race of people called the Celts. One of the tribes was called they tribes was called they BrythonsBrythons or or BritonsBritons ((where we get the term Britainwhere we get the term Britain))

– The Celts were Pagans and their religion was The Celts were Pagans and their religion was known as “animism,” a Latin word for “spirit.” known as “animism,” a Latin word for “spirit.” Celts saw spirits everywhere.Celts saw spirits everywhere.

– Druids were their priests; their role was to go Druids were their priests; their role was to go between the gods and the people.between the gods and the people.

Stonehenge was built during the time of the Celts.

(1) Pre-Roman/Celtic Period(1) Pre-Roman/Celtic Period

(2) Roman Occupation(2) Roman Occupation Historical Notes:Historical Notes:

– Julius Caesar began invasion/occupation Julius Caesar began invasion/occupation in 55 B.C.in 55 B.C.

– Occupation completed by Claudius in 1Occupation completed by Claudius in 1stst century A.D.century A.D.

– Hadrian’s Wall built about 122 A.D. to Hadrian’s Wall built about 122 A.D. to identify the northernmost reaches of the identify the northernmost reaches of the Roman EmpireRoman Empire

– Romans “left” in 410 A.D. because Romans “left” in 410 A.D. because Visigoths attacked RomeVisigoths attacked Rome

– St. Augustine landed in Kent in 597 and St. Augustine landed in Kent in 597 and converted King Aethelbert (king of Kent, converted King Aethelbert (king of Kent, the oldest Saxon settlement) to the oldest Saxon settlement) to Christianity; Christianity began to take Christianity; Christianity began to take hold in England (but does not fully hold in England (but does not fully displace Paganism for several hundred displace Paganism for several hundred years)years)

Today’s goals and plans: Today’s goals and plans:

1) Today we will look more at how 1) Today we will look more at how our language developed.our language developed.

2) You should takes notes of what 2) You should takes notes of what caused major shifts in language and caused major shifts in language and include a few examples.include a few examples.

3) After our notes, you will get to 3) After our notes, you will get to look at the runic alphabet and try look at the runic alphabet and try creating some words with it!creating some words with it!

(2) Roman Occupation(2) Roman Occupation

Some Characteristics of the Language: Some Characteristics of the Language: – LATIN influence: LATIN influence:

Latin was the official language of the Romans and it Latin was the official language of the Romans and it heavily influenced the development of the English heavily influenced the development of the English language language

– The Roman practice of recording history led to The Roman practice of recording history led to the earliest English “literature” being the earliest English “literature” being documenteddocumented

– The Latin AlphabetThe Latin Alphabet

(2) Roman Occupation(2) Roman Occupation

Early Latin BorrowingsEarly Latin Borrowings

LatinLatin MeaningMeaning Mod. EngMod. Eng

caseuscaseus cheesecheese cheesecheese

pondopondo weightweight poundpound

calxcalx chalkchalk chalkchalk

unciauncia twelfthtwelfth inchinch

miliamilia thousand thousand pacespaces

milemile

stratastrata roadroad streetstreet

(3) Invasion of Angles, Saxons, & (3) Invasion of Angles, Saxons, & JutesJutes

Historical Notes:Historical Notes: – The history of the English The history of the English

language really started language really started with the arrival of three with the arrival of three Germanic tribes who Germanic tribes who invaded Britain during the invaded Britain during the 5th century AD. These 5th century AD. These tribes, the tribes, the Angles, Saxons, Angles, Saxons, and Jutesand Jutes, crossed the , crossed the North Sea from what North Sea from what today is Denmark and today is Denmark and northern Germany. northern Germany.

– The The AnglesAngles were named were named from from EngleEngle, their land of , their land of origin. Their language was origin. Their language was called called EngliscEnglisc from which from which the word, the word, EnglishEnglish derives. derives.

Germanic invaders entered Britain on the east and south coasts in the 5th century.


What happened to the What happened to the Celts?Celts? – Most of the Celtic speakers Most of the Celtic speakers

were pushed west and north were pushed west and north by the invaders, mainly into by the invaders, mainly into what is now what is now Wales, Scotland Wales, Scotland and Irelandand Ireland. .

– One group migrated to the One group migrated to the Brittany Coast of FranceBrittany Coast of France where their descendants where their descendants still speak the Celtic still speak the Celtic language of Breton today. language of Breton today.

Wales

Scotland

Ireland

Brittany Coast of France


Germanic invaders called the native Germanic invaders called the native Celtic Celtic peoplespeoples ““wealaswealas,”,” meaning foreigners. Their meaning foreigners. Their territory became known as territory became known as WalesWales..

The Celts called all The Celts called all Germanic invadersGermanic invaders ““Saxons,”Saxons,” regardless of tribe, but by the 6regardless of tribe, but by the 6thth century, the century, the term term ”Angli””Angli” began to be used. (This is where the began to be used. (This is where the term term “Anglo-Saxon”“Anglo-Saxon” is derived). is derived).

Because the language spoken by the German Because the language spoken by the German invaders was invaders was EngliscEnglisc, their territory became , their territory became known as known as EnglalandEnglaland (England) (England). .


During the During the “Anglo-Saxon” “Anglo-Saxon” PeriodPeriod, England was , England was divided into seven divided into seven sovereign kingdoms sovereign kingdoms (heptarchy)(heptarchy)

Anglo-Saxon Heptarchy= Anglo-Saxon Heptarchy= Seven KingdomsSeven Kingdoms1.1. NorthumbriaNorthumbria2.2. MerciaMercia3.3. East AngliaEast Anglia4.4. Wessex (West Saxon)Wessex (West Saxon)5.5. Essex (East Saxon)Essex (East Saxon)6.6. Sussex (South Saxon)Sussex (South Saxon)7.7. KentKent

1

2

3

4

5

6

7


Some Characteristics of the Some Characteristics of the Language:Language:– GERMAN / NORSE / DANISH / GERMAN / NORSE / DANISH /

SCANDINAVIAN influence: SCANDINAVIAN influence: Old EnglishOld English, the earliest form of our , the earliest form of our

language, finally developed.language, finally developed.

Old English (450-1066 Old English (450-1066 A.D.)A.D.)

The invading Germanic tribes spoke The invading Germanic tribes spoke similar languages, which in Britain similar languages, which in Britain developed into what we now call developed into what we now call Old Old EnglishEnglish. .

Old English did not sound or look like Old English did not sound or look like English today.English today. Native English Native English speakers now would have great speakers now would have great difficulty understanding Old English. difficulty understanding Old English. Nevertheless, about half of the most Nevertheless, about half of the most commonly used words in Modern commonly used words in Modern English have Old English roots. The English have Old English roots. The words words bebe, , strongstrong and and waterwater, for , for example, derive from Old English.example, derive from Old English.

There were There were many dialects of Old many dialects of Old EnglishEnglish, because there were separate , because there were separate kingdoms founded by related , but kingdoms founded by related , but different cultures: Angles, Saxons, different cultures: Angles, Saxons, Jutes, Scandinavians, etc. Jutes, Scandinavians, etc.

Part of Beowulf, a poem written

in Old English.


The Runic The Runic AlphabetAlphabet– Old English was Old English was

first written in first written in an alphabet an alphabet called called Runic, , derived from the derived from the Scandinavian Scandinavian languages, but languages, but shifted to the shifted to the Latin alphabet alphabet that was that was reintroduced to reintroduced to the land by the land by Christian Christian missionaries missionaries coming from coming from Ireland. Ireland.


Old English is mainly Old English is mainly Germanic Germanic in in grammar (syntax and morphology)grammar (syntax and morphology) and and lexicon (words)lexicon (words) the core of or modern the core of or modern English is vastly influenced by this early English is vastly influenced by this early linguistic “DNA”linguistic “DNA”


Old English vocabularyOld English vocabulary– an an Anglo Saxon (German)Anglo Saxon (German) base base – borrowedborrowed words from the words from the

ScandinavianScandinavian languages languages (Danish (Danish and Norse) and Norse) sky, egg, cake, skin, leg, window sky, egg, cake, skin, leg, window

((wind eyewind eye), husband, fellow, skill, ), husband, fellow, skill, anger, flat, odd, ugly, get, give, anger, flat, odd, ugly, get, give, take, raise, call, die, they, their, take, raise, call, die, they, their, themthem

– borrowedborrowed words from words from LatinLatin street, kitchen, kettle, cup, cheese, street, kitchen, kettle, cup, cheese,

wine, angel, bishop, martyr, candlewine, angel, bishop, martyr, candle

– surviving Celticsurviving Celtic words (mainly words (mainly place names and river names)place names and river names) Devon, Dover, Kent, Trent, Severn, Devon, Dover, Kent, Trent, Severn,

Avon, ThamesAvon, Thames

Many pairs of English and Norse words coexisted giving us two words with the same or slightly differing meanings. Examples below.

Norse English

anger wrath

nay no

fro from

ill sick

bask bathe

skill craft

ski hide

skirt shirt

scatter shatter

skip shift


What did Old English look like? What did Old English look like? Line Original Translation

[1] Fæder ure þu þe eart on heofonum, Father ours, thou that art in heaven,[2] Si þin nama gehalgod. Be thy name hallowed.[3] To becume þin rice, Come thy rich (kingdom),[4] gewurþe ðin willa, on eorðan swa swa

on heofonum.Worth (manifest) thy will, on earth also as in heaven.

[5] Urne gedæghwamlican hlaf syle us todæg,

Our daily loaf sell (give) us today,

[6] and forgyf us ure gyltas, swa swa we forgyfað urum gyltendum.

and forgive us our guilts as also we forgive our guilty (lit. guiltants).

[7] And ne gelæd þu us on costnunge, ac alys us of yfele.

And lead thou us not in temptation, but loose (release) us of evil.

[8] Soþlice. Soothly.


What did Old English sound like?What did Old English sound like?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=av-37L0G8lwv=av-37L0G8lw

(4) Norman Invasion(4) Norman Invasion Historical Notes:Historical Notes:

– In In 1066 William the 1066 William the ConquerorConqueror, the Duke , the Duke of Normandy (part of of Normandy (part of modern France), modern France), invaded and invaded and conquered England. conquered England. The new conquerors The new conquerors (called the (called the NormansNormans) ) brought with them a brought with them a kind of kind of FrenchFrench, , which became the which became the language of the language of the Royal Court and the Royal Court and the ruling and business ruling and business classes.classes.

(4) Norman Invasion(4) Norman Invasion Some Characteristics of the Language:Some Characteristics of the Language:

– A period of linguistic class division…A period of linguistic class division… Upper classes, political leaders, royal court: spoke Upper classes, political leaders, royal court: spoke FrenchFrench Lower classes: spoke Lower classes: spoke Old EnglishOld English

– By the 14By the 14thth Century… Century… English became dominant in Britain again, but with many French words English became dominant in Britain again, but with many French words

added.added. In 1399, King Henry IV became the first king of England since the In 1399, King Henry IV became the first king of England since the

Norman Conquest whose mother tongue was English. By the end of the Norman Conquest whose mother tongue was English. By the end of the 14th Century, the dialect of London had emerged as the standard dialect 14th Century, the dialect of London had emerged as the standard dialect of what we now call of what we now call Middle EnglishMiddle English..

OLD ENGLISH (Celtic, Latin, Germanic,

Scandinavian)

FRENCH+ =Middle English

Middle English (1100-Middle English (1100-1485)1485)

WORDS: WORDS: – Because the English underclass cooked Because the English underclass cooked

for the Norman upper class, the words for the Norman upper class, the words for most domestic animals are English for most domestic animals are English (ox, cow, calf, sheep, swine, deer) (ox, cow, calf, sheep, swine, deer) while the words for the meats derived while the words for the meats derived from them are French (beef, veal, from them are French (beef, veal, mutton, pork, bacon, venison). mutton, pork, bacon, venison).

PLURALS:PLURALS: – The Germanic form of plurals (house, The Germanic form of plurals (house,

housen; shoe, shoen) was eventually housen; shoe, shoen) was eventually displaced by the French method of displaced by the French method of making plurals: adding an s (house, making plurals: adding an s (house, houses; shoe, shoes). Only a few words houses; shoe, shoes). Only a few words have retained their Germanic plurals: have retained their Germanic plurals: men, oxen, feet, teeth, children. men, oxen, feet, teeth, children.

SPELLING: SPELLING: – French also affected spelling so that French also affected spelling so that

the cw sound came to be written as qu the cw sound came to be written as qu (eg. cween became queen). (eg. cween became queen).

French English

close shut

reply answer

odour smell

annual yearly

demand ask

chamber room

desire wish

power might

irewrath /

anger

In 1066 the Normans conquered Britain. French became the language of the Norman aristocracy and added more vocabulary to English. More pairs of similar words arose.


Middle English was the language of the Middle English was the language of the great poet Chaucer (c. 1340-1400), but it great poet Chaucer (c. 1340-1400), but it would still be difficult for native English would still be difficult for native English speakers to understand today. speakers to understand today.


What did Middle English look and sound like?What did Middle English look and sound like?

Whan that Aprill, with his shoures sooteThe droghte of March hath perced to the rooteAnd bathed every veyne in swich licour,Of which vertu engendred is the flour;Whan Zephirus eek with his sweete breethInspired hath in every holt and heethThe tendre croppes, and the yonge sonneHath in the Ram his halfe cours yronne,And smale foweles maken melodye,That slepen al the nyght with open eye-(So priketh hem Nature in hir corages);Thanne longen folk to goon on pilgrimagesAnd palmeres for to seken straunge strondesTo ferne halwes, kowthe in sondry londes;And specially from every shires endeOf Engelond, to Caunterbury they wende,The hooly blisful martir for to sekeThat hem hath holpen, whan that they were seeke.

When in April the sweet showers fallThat pierce March's drought to the root and allAnd bathed every vein in liquor that has powerTo generate therein and sire the flower;When Zephyr also has with his sweet breath,Filled again, in every holt and heath,The tender shoots and leaves, and the young sunHis half-course in the sign of the Ram has run,And many little birds make melodyThat sleep through all the night with open eye(So Nature pricks them on to ramp and rage)Then folk do long to go on pilgrimage,And palmers to go seeking out strange strands,To distant shrines well known in distant lands.And specially from every shire's endOf England they to Canterbury went,The holy blessed martyr there to seekWho helped them when they lay so ill and weak

Early EnglishEarly EnglishRoman Occupation 55 B.C.-410 A.D.

Anglo-Saxon and Viking Invasions 410 – 1066 A.D.

The Norman Invasion (The Battle of Hastings) in 1066 A.D.

LATINLATIN

GERMAN(IC)GERMAN(IC)

FRENCHFRENCH

1 2

3

Modern English (1485-Modern English (1485-Present)Present)

Modern EnglishModern English began around the began around the 16th century (late 1516th century (late 15thth century). century). – Early Modern English (1485-1800)Early Modern English (1485-1800)– (Late) Modern English (1800-Present)(Late) Modern English (1800-Present)

Why did it change?Why did it change?

Modern English:Modern English:Early Modern English (1485-Early Modern English (1485-

1800)1800) Why did it change?Why did it change?

– (1) Towards the end of Middle English, a (1) Towards the end of Middle English, a sudden and distinct change in sudden and distinct change in pronunciation (pronunciation (the Great Vowel Shiftthe Great Vowel Shift) ) started, with vowels being pronounced started, with vowels being pronounced shorter and shorter. shorter and shorter.


1800)1800) Why did it change?Why did it change?

– (2) Other things that helped the evolution from (2) Other things that helped the evolution from Middle Middle English to Modern EnglishEnglish to Modern English: :

New words and phrasesNew words and phrases– Resulted from…Resulted from…

Increased contact with many peoples from around the Increased contact with many peoples from around the worldworld

The Renaissance of Classical learningThe Renaissance of Classical learning

Standardization of language, dialect, spelling, grammarStandardization of language, dialect, spelling, grammar– Resulted from…Resulted from…

Invention of printingInvention of printing Mass availability of books Mass availability of books Increased literacyIncreased literacy Dialect of London standardized by publishing houses Dialect of London standardized by publishing houses

located therelocated there Publication of the 1Publication of the 1stst English Dictionary (1604) English Dictionary (1604)


1800)1800) ShakespeareShakespeare wrote in Early Modern English. wrote in Early Modern English.

Hamlet's famous "To be, or not to be" lines were written in Early Modern English by Shakespeare.

Modern EnglishModern English

AlthoughAlthough Modern English Modern English began began around the 16th Century, like all around the 16th Century, like all languages it is still changing. languages it is still changing. – One change occurred when the th of One change occurred when the th of

some verb forms became s (loveth, some verb forms became s (loveth, loves: hath, has). loves: hath, has).

– Auxiliary verbs also changed (he is Auxiliary verbs also changed (he is risen, he has risen). risen, he has risen).

Modern English:Modern English:((Late) Modern English (1800-Late) Modern English (1800-

Present)Present) The main difference between Early Modern The main difference between Early Modern

English and Late Modern English is English and Late Modern English is vocabulary. vocabulary.

Late Modern English has many more words, Late Modern English has many more words, arising from two principal factors: arising from two principal factors: – (1) the Industrial Revolution and technology (1) the Industrial Revolution and technology

created a need for new words; created a need for new words; – (2) the British Empire at its height covered one (2) the British Empire at its height covered one

quarter of the earth's surface, and the English quarter of the earth's surface, and the English language adopted foreign words from many language adopted foreign words from many countries.countries.

So what does the evolution of So what does the evolution of English look like? English look like?

Old EnglishOld English 400-1066 400-1066 BeowulfBeowulf

(from (from BeowulfBeowulf!)!)

““Gaæþ a wyrd swa hio scel” (OE)Gaæþ a wyrd swa hio scel” (OE)

==

““Fate goes ever as it must” (MnE)Fate goes ever as it must” (MnE)

Middle EnglishMiddle English 1066-14851066-1485 ChaucerChaucer

(from (from CTCT))““Whan that Aprille with his shoures Whan that Aprille with his shoures soote . . . ” (ME) =soote . . . ” (ME) =

““When that April with its sweet When that April with its sweet showers . . .” (MnE) showers . . .” (MnE)

Early Modern Early Modern EnglishEnglish

1485-18001485-1800 Shakespeare Shakespeare

(from (from KLKL))““Sir, I loue you more than words Sir, I loue you more than words can weild ye matter” (EMnE) =can weild ye matter” (EMnE) =

““Sir, I love you more than word can Sir, I love you more than word can wield the matter” (MnE)wield the matter” (MnE)

Modern EnglishModern English 1800-1800-presentpresent

AustenAusten

(from (from P&PP&P))It is a truth universally It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune must possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife.be in want of a wife.

OE=Old English ME=Middle English EMnE=Early Modern English MnE=Modern English

What about “American” What about “American” English? English?

From around 1600, the English colonization of North America From around 1600, the English colonization of North America resulted in the creation of a distinct American variety of resulted in the creation of a distinct American variety of English. English.

Some English pronunciations and words "froze" when they Some English pronunciations and words "froze" when they reached America. In some ways, American English is more like reached America. In some ways, American English is more like the English of Shakespeare than modern British English is. the English of Shakespeare than modern British English is. Some expressions that the British call "Americanisms" are in Some expressions that the British call "Americanisms" are in fact original British expressions that were preserved in the fact original British expressions that were preserved in the colonies while lost for a time in Britain (for example colonies while lost for a time in Britain (for example trashtrash for for rubbish, rubbish, loanloan as a verb instead of lend, and as a verb instead of lend, and fallfall for autumn; for autumn; another example, another example, frame-upframe-up, was re-imported into Britain , was re-imported into Britain through Hollywood gangster movies). through Hollywood gangster movies).

Spanish also had an influence on American English (and Spanish also had an influence on American English (and subsequently British English), with words like subsequently British English), with words like canyoncanyon, , ranchranch, , stampedestampede and and vigilantevigilante being examples of Spanish words that being examples of Spanish words that entered English through the settlement of the American West. entered English through the settlement of the American West.

French words (through Louisiana) and West African words French words (through Louisiana) and West African words (through the slave trade) also influenced American English (through the slave trade) also influenced American English (and so, to an extent, British English).(and so, to an extent, British English).

Other Varieties of English Other Varieties of English

Today, American English is Today, American English is particularly influential, due to the particularly influential, due to the USA's dominance of cinema, USA's dominance of cinema, television, popular music, trade and television, popular music, trade and technology (including the Internet). technology (including the Internet). But there are many other varieties of But there are many other varieties of English around the world, including English around the world, including for example Australian English, New for example Australian English, New Zealand English, Canadian English, Zealand English, Canadian English, South African English, Indian English South African English, Indian English and Caribbean English.and Caribbean English.

BibliographyBibliography http://www.englishclub.com/english-language-history.htm http://www.krysstal.com/english.html Abrams, M. H., and Stephen Greenblatt, Eds. Introduction. Abrams, M. H., and Stephen Greenblatt, Eds. Introduction. The The

Norton Anthology of English LiteratureNorton Anthology of English Literature, seventh ed., vol. 1. New , seventh ed., vol. 1. New York: W.W. Norton, 2000. 1-22, 29-32. York: W.W. Norton, 2000. 1-22, 29-32.

Anderson, Robert, et al. Eds. Anderson, Robert, et al. Eds. Elements of LiteratureElements of Literature, Sixth Course, , Sixth Course, Literature of Britain. Austin: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 1993. 2-42. Literature of Britain. Austin: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 1993. 2-42.

Burrow, J. A. “Old and Middle English Literature, c. 700-1485.” Burrow, J. A. “Old and Middle English Literature, c. 700-1485.” The The Oxford Illustrated History of English LiteratureOxford Illustrated History of English Literature. Ed. Pat Rogers. . Ed. Pat Rogers. Oxford: Oxford UP, 1987.Oxford: Oxford UP, 1987.

Grant, Neil. Grant, Neil. Kings and QueensKings and Queens. Glasgow: Harper Collins, 1999.. Glasgow: Harper Collins, 1999. Hollister, C. Warren. Hollister, C. Warren. The Making of England, 55 B.C. to 1399The Making of England, 55 B.C. to 1399. 6. 6thth ed. ed.

Lexington, Mass.: D.C. Heath, 1988Lexington, Mass.: D.C. Heath, 1988 Pyles, Thomas and John Algeo. Pyles, Thomas and John Algeo. The Origins and Development of the The Origins and Development of the

English LanguageEnglish Language. 4. 4thth Ed. Fort Worth: Harcourt, 1993. Ed. Fort Worth: Harcourt, 1993. Wikipedia (articles on “Norman Invasion,” “Roman Occupation of Wikipedia (articles on “Norman Invasion,” “Roman Occupation of

Britain,” “King Alfred,” “King Aethelbert,” “Vikings,” and “Battle of Britain,” “King Alfred,” “King Aethelbert,” “Vikings,” and “Battle of Hastings”). Dates of access: August 10-20, 2006.Hastings”). Dates of access: August 10-20, 2006.

Some Characteristics of the Language:

CELTIC A vigesimal number system (counting by twenties)verb-subject-object (VSO) word order bifurcated demonstrative structure

Examples:(Irish) Ná bac le mac an bhacaigh is ní bhacfaidh mac an bhacaigh leat.(Literal translation) Don't bother with son the beggar's and not will-bother son the beggar's with-you.

(Welsh) pedwar ar bymtheg a phedwar ugain(Literal translation) four on fifteen and four twenties

history of the english language. why is english so inconsistent? through through though though bough...

Documents

official language

germanic invaders saxons

english languagewhy

celtic language of breton

latin word

roman empireromans

latin influence

earliest english literature