HIS110 - The History of English - An Overview

Summary

This e-lecture introduces the development of the English language through five historical periods: pre-English, Old English (600-1100), Middle English (1100-1500), Early Modern English (1500-1700), and Present-Day English (1700-present). The lecture covers significant events like the Roman invasion, the Germanic tribes' arrival, the Norman Conquest, the impact of the Black Death, the Hundred Years' War, the introduction of the printing press, and the spread of English globally. The evolution from a regional to a global language is highlighted, demonstrating English's rise as the most widely used language today.

Takeaways

• 😀 The development of English is divided into five periods: before English arrival, Old English (600-1100), Middle English (1100-1500), Early Modern English (1500-1700), and Present Day English (from 1700 onwards).
• 🏰 The first Indo-European speakers, likely the Kelts, arrived in Britain before the birth of Christ, and Roman domination began in 50 AD, with Hadrian's Wall marking the northern border.
• 🛡️ After the Romans withdrew in 410 AD, Germanic tribes like the Saxons, Angles, and Jutes replaced the Celtic peoples, leading to the Old English period starting in the 5th century.
• 📚 The Old English period is characterized by a strong Germanic influence, particularly from the Saxons, and is also known as Anglo-Saxon English.
• 🗡️ The Middle English period begins with the Norman Conquest in 1066, which significantly impacted England's political, social structures, and the English language.
• 👑 The Norman Conquest led to a near-total replacement of the English aristocracy and a decline in the status of the English language, which became the language of the lower classes.
• 📖 The introduction of the printing press in 1476 by William Caxton and the beginning of colonization after 1500 contributed to the standardization and global spread of English.
• 🎭 The Early Modern English period is often referred to as Shakespearean English due to the influence of William Shakespeare's works.
• 🔠 By 1700, English had become more analytic with a fixed word order of subject-verb-object, and the Great Vowel Shift made it more intelligible to modern speakers.
• 🌏 The spread of English is categorized into three circles: the Inner Circle with native speakers, the Outer Circle with second-language speakers in former colonies, and the Expanding Circle where English is recognized as an important foreign language.
• 🌐 Today, English is the most widely used individual language globally, with over 300 million native speakers and more than 1.5 billion official users.

Q & A

What are the five periods in the development of the English language?

The five periods in the development of the English language are: the time before English arrived, the Old English period (600-1100), the Middle English period (1100-1500), the Early Modern English period (1500-1700), and the period of Present-Day English (1700 to today).

Who were the first Indo-European speakers to arrive in England?

The first Indo-European speakers to arrive in England were probably the Celts.

What impact did the Roman invasion have on Britain?

The Roman invasion led to Roman domination of most of Britain, except for the northern part, and gradually romanized the region. This period lasted until 410 AD when the Roman legions withdrew.

Which Germanic tribes invaded Britain in the fifth century?

The Germanic tribes that invaded Britain in the fifth century were the Saxons, the Angles, and the Jutes.

How is the Old English period defined linguistically?

The Old English period is defined linguistically as the time from 600 to 1100 AD, characterized by strong Germanic and Saxon influences, synthetic language structure, and relatively free word order.

What event marks the beginning of the Middle English period?

The beginning of the Middle English period is marked by the Battle of Hastings in 1066, where William the Conqueror defeated King Harold II.

What changes occurred in the English language after the Norman Conquest?

After the Norman Conquest, English largely lost its status as the language of the upper classes and official documentation, replaced by Norman French. However, English eventually regained prominence, especially after King John lost English possessions in France in 1214.

How did the Black Death and the Hundred Years' War impact the English language?

The Black Death and the Hundred Years' War increased the prestige of English, as labor shortages elevated the status of the working class who spoke English, and the loss of French territories reduced the need for English people to learn and use French.

What are the key historical incidents marking the end of the Middle English period?

Key incidents marking the end of the Middle English period include the introduction of the printing press to England by William Caxton in 1476, the beginning of colonization after 1500, and the inauguration of Henry VII in 1509.

What characterizes Early Modern English, and who is a significant figure of this period?

Early Modern English is characterized by a more fixed subject-verb-object word order, reduced inflectional system, and significant phonological changes known as the Great Vowel Shift. William Shakespeare is a significant figure of this period.

What contributed to the spread of English as a global language?

The spread of English as a global language was contributed to by literature during the reign of Elizabeth I, exploration and colonization efforts by figures like Francis Drake and Walter Raleigh, and the general expansion of English influence in the New World.

How is the spread of English around the world defined in terms of three concentric circles?

The spread of English is defined in terms of three concentric circles: the Inner Circle (traditional native English-speaking countries), the Outer Circle (countries where English is a second language and has historical significance), and the Expanding Circle (countries where English is recognized as an important foreign language).