The Evolution of the English Language

Introduction

• Location: South Bank, London
• Historical Overview:
  • 2,000 years ago: Unintelligible languages
  • 1,000 years ago: Establishment of English
  • Modern Day: English is a global language spoken by over a billion people
• Characteristics of English: Adventure, tenacity, flexibility, adaptability

Historical Development

• Invasions and Threats: English faced near extinction multiple times
• Cultural Influence: Successive invasions brought and threatened the English language
• Programs and Evolutions:
  • Program 1: Underground development of English
  • Program 2: Survival and resurgence of English
  • Program 3: English vs. power structures
  • Program 4: Rise of Shakespearean English
  • Future Programs: Global spread of English

Origin of English

• Germanic Roots:
  • Proto-English from Frisian and Germanic tribes
  • Settlements in lowlands of Europe (Netherlands, Germany, Denmark)
  • Words like butter, bread, cheese from Germanic origins
• Military and Cultural Expansion:
  • Angles, Saxons, Jutes migration
  • Old English emergence from dialects
• Roman Influence:
  • Latin introduction with Christianity
  • Integration of Latin terms (altar, apostle)

Linguistic and Literary Development

• Old English:
  • Fusion of Germanic and Latin influences
  • Literature: Beowulf as a cornerstone
  • Vocabulary: 25,000 words, early poetic language
• Christian Monastic Influence:
  • Education and literacy promoted
  • Latin as scholarly language
  • Written Old English using Latin script

Threats and Preservation

• Viking Invasions:
  • Threatened cultural and linguistic destruction
  • Alfred the Great’s defense and restoration efforts
  • Treaty with Danes, cultural exchange
• Norman Conquest (1066):
  • French language dominance
  • Integration of French vocabulary (legal, culinary, social terms)

Linguistic Legacy

• Integration of Languages:
  • Old Norse influence on vocabulary and syntax
  • Simplification and evolution of grammatical structures
• French Influence Post-Conquest:
  • 10,000 French words integrated
  • Dominance in legal, culinary, and social spheres

Conclusion

• Enduring Legacy: English emerged as a powerful, adaptable language
• Path Forward: Continued evolution with global influence