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).

Outlines

00:00

📚 The Historical Development of English Language

This paragraph introduces the audience to the historical evolution of the English language, divided into five distinct periods. Starting from the pre-English era with the arrival of the Kelts, it moves through Old English (600-1100 AD), Middle English (1100-1500 AD), Early Modern English (1500-1700 AD), and Present-day English (from 1700 AD to the present). The script discusses the influence of the Roman Empire, the Germanic tribes, and the Norman Conquest on the language. It highlights the Old English period, characterized by a strong Germanic, particularly Saxon, influence, and describes the language's synthetic nature with a relatively free word order.

05:00

🏰 The Transformation of English During the Middle Ages

This section delves into the Middle English period, detailing the impact of the Norman Conquest on England's social and political structures and the English language. It describes how English lost status and became the language of the lower classes, especially among the nobility, and nearly disappeared as a written language in official documentation. The turning point came in 124 when King John lost his English possessions in France, leading to a decline in French as the official language. By the 13th and 14th centuries, English had re-emerged as the language of instruction. The paragraph also discusses the effects of the Black Death and the 100 Years War on the prestige of English. The end of the Middle English period is marked by the introduction of the printing press in 1476, colonization after 1500, and the reign of Henry VII, which contributed to English's transition from a regional to a global language. The structural complexity of Old English had disappeared, and Middle English had a significant Roman vocabulary influence.

10:00

🎭 The Emergence of Early Modern English and Its Global Reach

The final paragraph focuses on the early modern English period, beginning with Henry VII's ascension in 1509 and ending around 1700 with the Great Vowel Shift and the start of the scientific age. It emphasizes the influence of William Shakespeare, whose works led to the period being referred to as Shakespearean English. By the end of the Middle English period, most of today's syntactic and morphological patterns were established. The Great Vowel Shift (1450-1500) altered the pronunciation of Middle English long vowels, making English more intelligible to modern speakers. The Renaissance brought Latin and Greek loanwords into English, and scientific writers borrowed extensively from these languages. The paragraph concludes by discussing the global spread of English, defining it in terms of three concentric circles: the Inner Circle of native speakers, the Outer Circle of second-language speakers in colonized countries, and the Expanding Circle of countries recognizing English as a foreign language. English has developed into the most widely used language, with over 300 million native speakers and more than 1.5 billion official users.

Keywords

💡Linguistics

Linguistics is the scientific study of language and its structure. It encompasses the analysis of various aspects of language including phonetics, syntax, semantics, and historical linguistics. In the video, linguistics is the overarching theme as it discusses the development of the English language through time, examining its evolution from Old English to present-day English.

💡Old English

Old English, also known as Anglo-Saxon, refers to the earliest form of the English language spoken from approximately 600 to 1100 AD. It was brought to Britain by Germanic tribes such as the Saxons, Angles, and Jutes. The script mentions the Old English period as the beginning of the English language's development, characterized by its Germanic roots and a synthetic nature with a relatively free word order.

💡Middle English

Middle English denotes the period of the English language from 1100 to 1500 AD. It began with the Norman Conquest of England and was heavily influenced by French and Latin due to the new ruling class. The script describes Middle English as having a significant Roman vocabulary and a simpler structure compared to Old English, with the loss of many inflectional endings.

💡Norman Conquest

The Norman Conquest refers to the invasion and occupation of England by the Normans, led by William the Conqueror, in 1066. This event marked a turning point in the history of England and had profound effects on the English language, as discussed in the script. It led to the replacement of the English aristocracy and the decline of English as a written language, replaced by French for official purposes.

💡Great Vowel Shift

The Great Vowel Shift was a major change in the pronunciation of the English language that occurred during the early modern period, between 1400 and 1700. It involved significant changes in the pronunciation of long vowels, making English more intelligible to modern speakers. The script mentions this as a key event that marked the transition from Middle English to Early Modern English.

💡Early Modern English

Early Modern English is the period from 1500 to 1700, characterized by the works of William Shakespeare and the beginning of the scientific age. The script explains that this period saw the establishment of most syntactic and morphological patterns that we recognize in today's English, with a shift towards a more analytic structure and a fixed word order.

💡Standardization

Standardization in the context of language refers to the process of creating a widely accepted and consistent form of a language. The script mentions the introduction of the printing press in 1476 by William Caxton as a key factor in the standardization of the English language, which helped to spread a more uniform form of English.

💡Colonization

Colonization is the process by which a nation extends its power by establishing colonies in other areas. The script discusses the impact of colonization on the spread of the English language after 1500, following the discovery of America in 1492. This led to English becoming a global language, spreading beyond Europe to various parts of the world.

💡Inner Circle

The Inner Circle, as described in the script, refers to countries where English has historical and sociolinguistic origins and is spoken as a first or native language. This includes countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia, where English is an integral part of the culture and daily life.

💡Outer Circle

The Outer Circle is a term used to describe countries that were colonized by English-speaking nations and where English is spoken as a second language. These countries often use English in multilingual settings for historical, governmental, and educational purposes, as mentioned in the script.

💡Expanding Circle

The Expanding Circle refers to countries that did not institutionalize English as an official language but recognize its importance as a foreign language. The script explains that in these countries, English is not a native or second language but is still widely taught and used for international communication.

Highlights

Introduction to the development of the English language through five periods.

The time before the English language arrived.

The Old English period (600-1100 AD).

The Middle English period (1100-1500 AD).

The Early Modern English period (1500-1700 AD).

The Present-Day English period (1700-present).

The arrival of the Celts on the British Isles before the birth of Christ.

Julius Caesar's attempts to invade Britain in 55 BC.

Roman domination of Britain from 50 AD.

The withdrawal of Roman legions from Britain in 410 AD.

The arrival of Germanic-speaking tribes (Saxons, Angles, Judes) in the fifth and sixth centuries.

The impact of the Norman Conquest of 1066 on the English language and society.

The decline of French as an official language in England by the 13th and 14th centuries.

The introduction of the printing press to England in 1476 by William Caxton.

The global spread of the English language beginning in 1500 after the discovery of America.

Transcripts

hello in this short e- lecture I would

like to introduce all those students

with little or no background in

linguistics to the development of

English through

time the development of English can be

subdivided into five periods the

beginning that is the time before the

English arrived the old English period

from 600 to 1100 the Middle English

period from 1100 to 1500 the early

modern English period from 1500 to 1700

and the period of present day English

from 1700 until today so let's move back

in time and start more than 2,000 years

ago the first indoan speakers to arrive

on the landmass now called England were

probably the Kelts we do not know

exactly the date of their arrival but

they were already on the British Isles

several centuries

before the birth of

Christ beginning in 55 before Christ

Julius Caesar the Roman emperor made

several attempts to invade Britain but

it was not before 50 after Christ that

most of the land was under Roman

domination except for the northern part

which remained

unconquered Hadrian's Wall represents

the

borderline England became Rome's

westernmost Outpost and was gradually

romanized in 410 after Christ the Roman

Legions were withdrawn from Britain

leaving chaos the PS raided from the

North and the Scots from Ireland while

the Judes and the Saxons attacked the

Eastern

coasts throughout the fifth and sixth

Century the Britains were slowly driven

back into the mountain areas of Cambria

and Wales

Germanic speaking tribes replaced the

Celtic

peoples the earliest period in the

history of the English language is

referred to as the old English

period and the origin of this Old

English period goes back to the fifth

century after Christ when Germanic

tribes invaded Britain these tribes were

the Saxons the Angles and the

Judes linguistically the old English

period is generally defined as from 600

to 1100 after Christ due to the strong

Germanic and especially the strong Saxon

influence the old English period is

often also referred to as Anglo-Saxon

English its geographical extension was

approximately identical with today's

area of

England like its ancestor languages Old

English was synthetic with numerous

utina

tendencies in it inherited most

phological and morphological properties

from Germanic and had a relatively free

word

order let's listen to an

example s FL

utat

V hel BR with and we

herner

wolf M

his that

wasu Forman man M his Franken

off Fair Bly cost on brid

sto there St on Mid

Wolf Al and makos

withon the beginning of the Middle

English period coincides with the Battle

of Hastings the key event in the Norman

conquest of England when William Duke of

Normandy after the battle known as

William the conqu conqueror defeated the

English under King Harold II in October

1066 the Norman Conquest brought massive

changes to England's political and

social structures and it had an enormous

impact on the English

language after the Norman Conquest

England's social and political

structures underwent dramatic changes

such as an almost complete replacement

of the English aristocracy by a Norman

aristocracy English largely lost its

status and became the language of the

lower classes especially among the

nobility in literature law and in

official documentation it essentially

disappeared as a written

language the year 124 marks the turning

point when King John nicknamed John

Lackland lost his English possessions in

France leading to a gradual decline of

French as an official language in

England by the 13th and 14th centuries

even the children of the English

nobility no longer learned French as

their native language English had become

the new medium of

instruction although French remained the

official language of England well into

the 14th century two events of that time

sealed its fate the first was the Black

Death when between

1348 and

1351 oneir of the people in England died

this led to enormous labor shortages and

an increase of The Prestige of English

which was the language of the working

class another event was the 100 Years

War from

1337 to

1453 which led to a loss of all

Continental Holdings without which the

English no longer had important reasons

for Learning and using

French the end of the Middle English

period is marked by several historical

incidents where the first two had an

enormous impact on the development of

English the introduction of the printing

press to England in

1476 by William kton which led to a

standardization of the English language

and the beginning of

colonization after 1500 after the

discovery of America in 1492 which

eventually led to a global spread of the

English language and then of course was

the inauguration of Henry VII in 1509

who eventually cut the links to Rome and

the Catholic church so by 1500 English

had begun to obtain a new position from

a regional European language to a global

system of

communication due to Latin and French

influences a new language had involved

by the mid 14th Century Middle English

was Germanic at the core but had an

extensive Roman vocabulary furthermore

in Middle English the structural

complexity of Old English had

disappeared the many linguistic

developments which identify the Middle

English period are most evident in the

poetry and pros of the second half of

the 14th

century let's listen to an example from

Middle English from the Canterbury Tales

written by Jeffrey

chosa one that April with his show soter

the Dr of March hath paret to the RO and

bathed every van in switch

lur of which virtue engendered is the FL

Juan zirus EK with his sweat breath in

spirit H in every Halt and ha the tender

Copus and the younger Sona hath in the

ram his heart

the and SM

Fel

that with open ear so prith him

Ines along and FK to gone on

pilgrimes and pal for to S

strus to

F in lond the beginning of the early

modern English period coincides with the

ascendency of Henry VII to the throne in

1509 the end of the early modern English

period is marked by the completion of

the Great Vowel Shift and the beginning

of the scientific age at around

1700 most influential with regard to

early modern English were the works of

William

Shakespeare for this reason early modern

English is often alternatively referred

to as Shakespearean

English by the end of the Middle English

period most of today's syntactic and

morphological patterns had been

established early modern English was

fairly

analytic the word order had already

become quite fixed to subject verb

object due to a reduced inflectional

system and of the five Old English cases

only two had

Survived the Great change that

classifies early modern English as a new

period is mainly phological in change in

nature between 1450 and

16505 of the seven long vowels of Middle

English were raised and two became

donged this Great Vowel Shift finally

made English intelligible to the modern

a the Revival of classical scholarship

during the Renaissance brought Latin and

Greek lone words into the language

scientific writers were often in need of

new words and thus borrowed in abundance

from these

languages not all of these borrowings

though

survived anyway let us illustrate early

modern English using an example from

Shakespeare's set of sonnets here is

sonnet number 18 shall I compare thee to

Summer's Day Thou Art more lovely and

more

temperate roof winds do shake the

darling boots of May and Summer's LS

hath all Too Short a date sometime to

hot the a of Heaven shines and often is

his gold complexion dimmed and every

fair from Fair sometime

declines by chance or NES changing

course un

trimmed but they Eternal Sumer shall not

fed nor those possess of that fair the

oost nor shall death brag th wondrous in

his shed when in Eternal Lanes to tame

though

gross so long as men can breathe or a

can see so long lives this and this

gives life to thee by about 1700 the

English language differed only slightly

from present day English the most

important development was external it

concerned the position of the English

language among the languages of the

world from a regional language it

developed to the most widely used

language of our

time the first significant step in the

progress of English towards its status

as a global language did not take place

before the end of the 16th

century by the end of the reign of

Elizabeth the in 16003 literature had

boomed through the works of Spencer

Marlo and Shakespeare and Francis Drake

and Walter R had laid the foundation for

expanding the English influences in the

New World

today the spread of English around the

world is often defined in terms of three

concentric circles the Inner

Circle refers to traditional historical

and sociol linguistic origins of English

where it is used as a first or native

language the Outer

Circle includes countries colonized by

Britain and the United States where

English is spoken as a second language

and where it plays an important historic

iCal and governmental role in

multilingual

settings the countries in the expanding

Circle did not institutionalize English

as an official language but recognize

the important of English as a foreign

language well in so far as there has

ever been such a thing as a world

language English is one today during

less than 300 years English developed

from a regional language to a global

language today English constitutes the

most widely used individual language

with more than 300 million native

speakers and more than 1.5 billion

official

users thanks for your attention