Chapter 3 - Hisory of the English Language Flashcards
What groups of people invaded Britain after 450AD?
Jutes, Angles, Saxons
What are the 4 different time periods of the development of the English Language?
- Old English
- Middle English
- Early Modern English
- Present-day English
What language did the British invaders speak?
Teutonic or German
What is the best known poem written in Old English?
Beowulf
What invasion began Middle English period?
Normans
What language did the Normans bring?
Norman French
What institution used the Norman French?
Court, Government, Art, Culture, Literature
What major affect did the Normans have on the English Language?
Languages blended together and became Middle English and synonyms
What famous piece of literature was written in Middle English period by Geoffry Chaucer?
The Canterbury Tales
Who was William Caxton?
Imported and operated the first printing press in England (1476)
What is William Caxton important to the development of the English Language?
- The printing press he imported and operated helped to standardize spelling and created a larger body of literate people
- Brought changes that distinguish Late Middle English to Early Modern English
How did writers spell before the printing press?
Phonetically
Which famous author borrowed words from other languages that made a significant impact on the English language?
William Shakespear
Where did many words come from that were added to the English language after 1505?
Roman, Greek and Latin
What is Old English also known as?
Angelo saxon
