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The document discusses the history and evolution of the English language from its origins to the Middle English period. It notes that English has similarities to Sanskrit and is part of the Indo-European language family. It then outlines the various invasions and influences on English from Anglo-Saxons, Vikings, Normans and others which contributed to changes in vocabulary and grammar over time. A key transition was from Old English which used word forms to convey meaning to Middle English which relied more on word order and prepositions.
The document discusses the history and evolution of the English language from its origins to the Middle English period. It notes that English has similarities to Sanskrit and is part of the Indo-European language family. It then outlines the various invasions and influences on English from Anglo-Saxons, Vikings, Normans and others which contributed to changes in vocabulary and grammar over time. A key transition was from Old English which used word forms to convey meaning to Middle English which relied more on word order and prepositions.
The document discusses the history and evolution of the English language from its origins to the Middle English period. It notes that English has similarities to Sanskrit and is part of the Indo-European language family. It then outlines the various invasions and influences on English from Anglo-Saxons, Vikings, Normans and others which contributed to changes in vocabulary and grammar over time. A key transition was from Old English which used word forms to convey meaning to Middle English which relied more on word order and prepositions.
(Ch. 2, pp. 51-88)(SEBCS VC VO4207) English has a similarity to Sanskrit, as observed by Sir William Jones. Father Threw Seven Mother Me New The Indo-European group of languages consists of Latin, French, Spanish, Slavic, Germanic, Celtic tongues. Date A.D. 449--The northern Germanic tribes Anglo-Saxons-Jutes invade Britain. The only relic of the Celtic language (the original language of Britain) is Welsh. In Old English (the English of the Anglo-Saxons), word forms make meaning. Date A.D. 597--Christianity comes to England via St. Augustine. Date A.D. 793--The Second Great Invasion (by the Vikings this time) initiated with the destruction of the monastery at Lindesfarne, beginning the Dark Ages. By A.D. 870, Anglo-Saxons repressed. Alfred the Great saves country and language by uniting the diverse country using English. This produced the confict between languages: Anglo-Saxon v. Viking (Norse)/Danelaw. The diference is in word endings. English simplifes by adding endings instead of changing word forms. Date A.D. 1066--Norman Invasion. The French defeat the English and introduce languages of French and Latin. By A.D. 1155, English had been obliterated as a written language, yet it survived in oral use. The Normans did contribute many synonyms to English. The Norman Conquest was a linguistic 'blessing in disguise.' For example law, monarchy, church, military all borrowed from the French. Humorous observation: "English is a dialect of French." In Middle English (1150-1500), prepositions take prominence over word endings. Word order becomes important. The frst great English writer was Geofrey Chaucer (ca. 1380). His success, especially the masterpiece, The Canterbury Tales, gives new status - 1 & Siekmeier to English. The vocabulary Chaucer used was similar to ours, but pronunciations difer. A contemporary of Chaucer, William Caxton, was the frst English printer. English owes its chaotic spelling to printing spellings on page before agreement was reached on pronunciation. "Mankind"--a play (ca. 1470) demonstrates the last change in pronunciation. - 2 &