A Brief Historical Tour of English © Andras Chernel fecit : A Brief Historical Tour of English © Andras Chernel fecit
Why is English so …. English?
Why is there so much diversity?
Where are its roots, its origins? Where has it all come from?
What influenced it?
The Birth of English : The Birth of English
The Formation or „Roots“ Period – its „birth“ and „growing up“ phase …
The Consolidation or Expansion Period – English „spreads its wings“ and flies from the nest to begin colonising the world … © Andras Chernel fecit
The Formation or „Roots“ Period – 55 B.C. - @ 450 A.D. : The Formation or „Roots“ Period – 55 B.C. - @ 450 A.D. 55 B.C. „Veni, Vidi, Vici“ (Julius Ceasar) … the Romans invade for the first time.
English as a language did not even exist! Brythonic … a Celtic tongue …is spoken.
Existing warring tribes (the Iceanae – Boudicca; Picts; and Celts) are conquered. © Andras Chernel fecit
Vitae Romanus : Vitae Romanus Roman Contributions:
Law and Order.
Good government and administration.
Proper Roads – e.g. Via Londinium.
Latin.
PEACE! © Andras Chernel fecit
The Saxons Invade! 5th and 6th Centuries A.D. The Birth of “Early Old Englishe”(@ 450 A.D. - @ 850 A.D.) : The Saxons Invade! 5th and 6th Centuries A.D. The Birth of “Early Old Englishe”(@ 450 A.D. - @ 850 A.D.) Germanic-speaking tribes invade
Land-hungry, under pressure themselves
Brought their own languages and belief systems with them
A period of unrest and raids
Uneasy alliances and outright wars
The “Dane-Geld”
Eventual quasi-assimilation © Andras Chernel fecit
British and Anglo-Saxon Britain – The Venerable Bede : British and Anglo-Saxon Britain – The Venerable Bede The first texts appear in the 7th Century.
The Venerable Bede (8th Century), wrote his „History of the English People“ – in Latin!
An important point is that he noted these local languages were not entirely „mutually intelligible“. © Andras Chernel fecit
Modern Thinking about Bede's Statements. : Modern Thinking about Bede's Statements. Modern experts tend to disagree – they claim that common social, economic, and cultural development „naturally“ lead to some form of common tongue.
Forgotten about Celtic? DON´T! © Andras Chernel fecit
The Celtic „Gaelic“… : The Celtic „Gaelic“… (The famous, stubborn) Welsh resistance to „outside influences“.
Celtic (Modern Gaelic) lives on… not lost, not forgotten…
The coming of the dreaded longboats … and their crews – the Vikings or Norsemen (i.e. „Northmen“). © Andras Chernel fecit
Answers to Questions a), b), and c): : Answers to Questions a), b), and c): According to the Venerable Bede, they were invited by the King.
Not much! They apparently sent back word that the Brits were cowardly!
„Integrate ?!“ „Wot ´s that ?!“
„Ya mean subjugate, doncha ?!“
Qn. d) What is 1066 famous for? © Andras Chernel fecit
King Alfred's Impact and Later Old English (A.D. 850 – 1,100 A.D.) : King Alfred's Impact and Later Old English (A.D. 850 – 1,100 A.D.) The very first „teacher“ of English?
The first Old English Schools – discipline was tough even then!
Truancy (“bunking off ”) simply didn't pay!
First to „coin“ the use of the word „Englisc“ to mean BOTH the language AND the people (living under his authority). © Andras Chernel fecit
Stop Press! Legend relates that… : Stop Press! Legend relates that… King Alfred's mother helped him to learn to read in his West-Saxon dialect of Old English!
Probably a novelty in the predominantly oral Anglo-Saxon culture of the times!
Awarded a book of poems for reading well!
„Through“; „Borough“; „Leicester“. © Andras Chernel fecit
Back to the (Danish) Vikings! : Back to the (Danish) Vikings! The earliest invasion was in 787 A.D.
Treaty made restricting the Danes to the Eastern seaboard - payment of the „Dane Geld“.
Further, decisive invasion in 991 A.D. by „Scanda-hooligans“ – the Vikings!
Aethlred the „Unready“ forced into exile. © Andras Chernel fecit
The Impact of the Danes/Vikings on Old English : The Impact of the Danes/Vikings on Old English Descriptive endings of place names, e.g. Rugby
Common words – everyday verbs like „to get“, „to give“, and „to take“.
Fusion of the two languages, e.g. „Heaven“ … from the Anglo-Saxon „heefon“ and the Scandinavian „himmin“.
Vikings and Anglo-Saxons share predominantly oral traditions - and their languages are „cousins“. © Andras Chernel fecit
1066 … and all that! English suffers another humiliating defeat by a “foreign language” : 1066 … and all that! English suffers another humiliating defeat by a “foreign language” Northern attack by Viking/Danish force.
The Battle of Stamford Bridge.
Dire news of a beachhead on their weakened southern coastline.
The Battle of Hastings.
The crowning of William „The Conqueror“
French enters the English language. © Andras Chernel fecit
Norman French Influences The Birth of “Middle English” : Norman French Influences The Birth of “Middle English” The “Fourth Age of the English Language” begins.
So-called “Middle English” (1100 to 1450).
Without a doubt, the most defining period.
Norman French becomes the „official „ English language!
It also begins to influence Late Old (Anglo-Saxon) English.
Educated people are now expected to know THREE languages – French, English and Latin. © Andras Chernel fecit
Norman English “High” versus “Low” English : Norman English “High” versus “Low” English „Duc“ or Duke; „Cuntess“ now Countess; „curt“ or court; „messe“ now Mass; and „clerc“ now clerk – or scholar.
„High“- reflecting dominance in Court, State, Church and „Low“ – reflecting the subservient role of the „Native“ English.
Names of live animals – Anglo-Saxon (- LOW) and cuts of meat – Norman French (HIGH).
e.g. Swine (A-S) generic name for pigs, and Pork – from „Porc“ (F). © Andras Chernel fecit
Interesting Observation… Excerpt from Churchill's famous Address to the Nation (after the “defeat/victory” of Dunkirk, WWII) : Interesting Observation… Excerpt from Churchill's famous Address to the Nation (after the “defeat/victory” of Dunkirk, WWII) „We shall fight on the beaches; we shall fight on the landing grounds; we shall fight in the hills; and we shall never surrender!“ (1/24)
Winston Churchill, WW II.
„Surrender“ is the ONLY word of French origin in this text – had he chosen „give up“ instead, …
It would have been 100% Anglo-Saxon !!! © Andras Chernel fecit
Middle English Bi-lingual English : The difference between “freedom” and “liberty”
Liberty: .. “is a foreign and inappropriate term, associated with extreme notions of rights rather than responsibilities.”
Freedom: ..”however, is a solid Anglo-Saxon term related to independence and honest judicial and property rights.”
So there! Now you know ;-) Middle English Bi-lingual English © Andras Chernel fecit 03/06/2007
General facts about English : General facts about English Most languages have about 250,000 words
English has, a minimum of over 600,000
Guessing Game:
Which is Anglo-Saxon, which is French?
Take off Remove
Strength Power
Stretch Extend
Fake Sham
Pretend Simulate © Andras Chernel fecit: 03/06/2007
A Beautiful Paradox : A Beautiful Paradox If it wasn't for William the Conqueror and his thousand archers, English might well never have progressed beyond England itself!
The Doomsday or Domesday Book – 1086
Pacification and colonisation of Wales and Ireland in the 11th and 12th Centuries
Wales divided into Earldoms and Lordships
Ireland partly “settled”, later the Irish regained control over all the country except around Dublin – “the Pale”
Differing varieties of “Englishes” mixed together © Andras Chernel fecit: 03/06/2007
From the Shadows to the Sunshine : From the Shadows to the Sunshine English is almost an exile in its own country
First steps to a world language?
The subsequent years and steps as English crawls from the shadowy hedgerows back into the sunshine
Uncomplimentary remarks make at the time
John Trevisa – a wandering scribe in the early 14th Century “scharpe, slitting, frotynge and unchape.” © Andras Chernel fecit: 03/06/2007
Some interesting reasons for the “comeback” of English in the 14th Century : Some interesting reasons for the “comeback” of English in the 14th Century The criminal class (mainly English peasants) couldn't speak French!
The diverse variety of dialects meant that some people quite simply could not be understood (1364, York court case)
English was introduced as the medium of education at Oxford grammar schools (1360s)
The New Testament was translated into English (1380)
Chaucer's “Canterbury Tales” published (1380) © Andras Chernel fecit: 03/06/2007
The Owl and the Nightingale (Late 12th Century) : The Owl and the Nightingale (Late 12th Century) “Ich was in one sumere dale, in one suthe dizele hale, lhered Ich holde grete tale. An hule and one nitzingale, That plait was stif and starc and strong, sumwhile softe an lude among.”
I was in a summer valley, n a very hidden corner, I heard a great tale held. An owl and a nightingale, Whose pleading was stiff and firm and strong, Sometimes soft and loud in-between.” © Andras Chernel fecit: 03/06/2007
Text in the West Midlands Region (1230) : Text in the West Midlands Region (1230) “sustren”, habben”, “housen”
Modern English – sisters, have, and houses
“Ich segge”, “nawt” (still in use today!), and “hwet”
Modern English – I say, not, and what © Andras Chernel fecit: 03/06/2007
Holycross Day (End of 13th Century) : Holycross Day (End of 13th Century) Wel awa sal thir hornes blau, Holy Rod thi day, Now he is dede and lies law, Was wont to blow thairn ay
The modern translation might be something like this – even if it loses something in translation!
Alas, who shall these horns blow, Holy Cross (on) your day, Now he is dead and lies below, He who was wont to blow them always.
© Andras Chernel fecit: 03/06/2007
“Early Modern English” Middle English (1450 to 1750) : “Early Modern English” Middle English (1450 to 1750) In the Middle Ages, English was rarely used for documentation purposes
Latin was for science, learning and culture
French was for law and administration
The Church begins to lose its virtual monopoly of written text production (end of the 12th Century) © Andras Chernel fecit: 03/06/2007
Early 14th and 15th Century Text (examples of the French Influence on English) : Early 14th and 15th Century Text (examples of the French Influence on English) “corrupcion”, famylyar, “processe”, “nacyons”, “nobyll”
Modern English – corruption, familiar, process, nations, noble
“conmixtion”, “consuetude”, construyn”
Modern English – mixing, practice, interpret
“The Lordes spirituell and temporell”, “Kynges”, “lettres”, “sal”, suthe”
Spelling! “Lords Spiritual and Temporal”, Kings, letters, salt, sooth © Andras Chernel fecit: 03/06/2007
Difference between Written and Spoken Forms of the Language : Difference between Written and Spoken Forms of the Language Cough (“o” and “f”)
Plough (“au” and “w”)
Through ( “u”/ “ew”)
Enough (“a” and “f”)
All these can be pronounced in several different ways – only English can do this! © Andras Chernel fecit: 03/06/2007
Social and Economic Influences on English : Social and Economic Influences on English The language begins to modernise
Society begins to modernise
The Renaissance – began in the 14th Century and culminated in the 17th Century
The Reformation – 16th Century
Gutenberg and his printing presses
Humanism © Andras Chernel fecit: 03/06/2007
Consolidation and Expansion : Consolidation and Expansion 1450 to 1750 – Early Modern English
Standardisation of the language
The “export” phase – to the Colonies
Unprecedented change and dynamism
The Great Vowel Shift (internal change)
Colonisation (external change) © Andras Chernel fecit: 03/06/2007
William Caxton – Master or Mangler of the English Language? : William Caxton – Master or Mangler of the English Language? William Caxton – 1422 – 1491
Merchant, diplomat, writer, printer
Agent for change at the crossroads of history
“Master Printer” – introduced the printing press into England in the late 15th Century
He is attributed with having almost single-handedly “forged” modern English © Andras Chernel fecit: 03/06/2007
William Caxton – 1422 - 1499 : William Caxton – 1422 - 1499 “…And certaynly our language now used varyeth ferre from that whiche was used and spoken when I was borne … And that comyn Englysshe that is spoken in one shyre varyeth from a nother.”
A merchant's request for “eggys” … had been mistaken for French! He should have asked for “eyren”!
Caxton: “What sholde a man in thyse dayes now write, egges or eyren? Certaynly it is harde to playse everyman by cause of dyversite and chaunge of langage.” © Andras Chernel fecit: 03/06/2007
R. Harris and T.J. Taylor – on William Caxton I : R. Harris and T.J. Taylor – on William Caxton I “ Printing was the technological foundation of the European Renaissance, and the most radical innovation in human communication since the invention of writing. Caxton was a man caught at the crossroads of history in more senses than one …” © Andras Chernel fecit: 03/06/2007
R. Harris and T.J. Taylor – on William Caxton II : R. Harris and T.J. Taylor – on William Caxton II “…. Trying to introduce and popularise a new technology which was destined to revolutionise the availability of information in a civilised society. This profoundly important initiative was undertaken in the most linguistically adverse circumstances possible, for what had just broken down was the universal viability of Latin; and in England, there was no comparably stable language to take its place.” © Andras Chernel fecit: 03/06/2007
Henry VIII and the Reformation : Henry VIII and the Reformation Pre 1530s, Henry declared “Defender Fidelis” by the Pope
Mid-1530s, Henry declares himself Head of the Church in England
Abolishes the Catholic Church and confiscates its lands and properties
Establishes so-called “King's Schools”
Cleaning up 16th Century English I : Cleaning up 16th Century English I “As for ye Latin and Greek, every thynge is so excelently done in them that none can do better. In the English tonge, contrary, every thinge in a maner so meanly, both for the matter and handelynge, that no man can do worse.”
Richard Ascham, tutor Queen Elizabeth I © Andras Chernel fecit: 03/06/2007
Cleaning up 16th Century English II : Cleaning up 16th Century English II Increasing English's vocabulary
Increasing its “polysemy” (multiple meanings)
How many meanings do these have? 1) Draught 2) Form and 3) Stock
Between 1500 and 1700 more than 30, 000 new words were added to the English lexicon!
Ben Johnson, Elizabethan dramatist – “windy words” e.g. conscious, inflate, reciprocal and strenuous © Andras Chernel fecit: 03/06/2007
Puritans (and Quakers) Late17th Century : Puritans (and Quakers) Late17th Century The Puritans caused the end of the (Scottish and Catholic) Stuart line of kings and fought the Civil War which started on 25 October 1642
Oliver Cromwell and the 50-year Commonwealth (de-facto Protectorate 1653 to 1659) and Republic
George Fox founds the Quakers (so-called because they “quaked with fear before God”)
Thanksgiving Day in America commemorates the landing of Puritans aboard the Mayflower – escaping from political and religious pressures in England © Andras Chernel fecit: 03/06/2007
Curing the “Sick Man of Europe” English in the 17th and 18th Centuries : Curing the “Sick Man of Europe” English in the 17th and 18th Centuries
1640s: Thomas Hobbes – Civil War
1653: John Wallis “Grammatica Linguae Anglicanae”
1700s: Jonathan Swift
1755: Dr. Samuel Johnson “Dictionary of the English Language © Andras Chernel fecit: 03/06/2007
1755: Dr. Samuel Johnson I “Dictionary of the English Language” : 1755: Dr. Samuel Johnson I “Dictionary of the English Language” “I found our speech copious without order,”
“…and energetic without rules…”
“Wherever I turned my view, there was perplexity to be disentangled, and confusion to be regulated.”
1755: Dr. Samuel Johnson II “Dictionary of the English Language” : 1755: Dr. Samuel Johnson II “Dictionary of the English Language” “… (keep) the wells of English undefiled, as the pure sources of genuine diction. Our language has, for almost a century, been gradually departing from its Teutonick character, and deviating towards a Gallick structure, from which it ought to be our endeavour to recall it.”
1755: Dr. Samuel Johnson III “Dictionary of the English Language” : 1755: Dr. Samuel Johnson III “Dictionary of the English Language” Accused translators of : “the most mischievous and comprehensive innovation”
“If an academy should be established for the cultivation of our stile, let them endeavour with all their influence to stop the licence of translatours, whose idleness and ignorance will reduce us to babble a dialect of French
Quo Vadis Linguae Anglicanae? : Quo Vadis Linguae Anglicanae? R.P versus Estuary English
Globalisation versus Glocalisation
Franglais
Chinglish (in 2004, over 100 million Chinese were “learning English”!)
Czenglish
Euroenglish
Sheng (KiSwahili + English – very remote from English)
New words, phrases, terminology, meanings, due to advances in technology, science, etc
© Andras Chernel fecit: 03/06/2007
THANK YOU FOR YOUR KIND ATTENTION!!! : THANK YOU FOR YOUR KIND ATTENTION!!! Prepared using essays by:
Mr. Jeff Bragg, CETEFL-List Member ;-) © Andras Chernel fecit 13/09/2003
Updated and expanded: 03/06/2007