The Evolution of English: From Old to Middle English

Introduction

• Overview of changes in the English language over time.
• Focus on language contact and its role in the transition from Old English to Middle English.

Differences Between Old English and Middle English

• Old English Example: Opening lines from the poem "Beowulf."
• Middle English Example: Opening lines from "The Canterbury Tales" by Geoffrey Chaucer.
• Notable changes in pronunciation, grammar, and vocabulary.

Influences on Middle English

Language Contact

• Interaction with speakers of other languages influenced English.
• Borrowing of words contributed to changes in vocabulary.

Old Norse Influence

• Brought by the Vikings after their arrival in the late 8th century.
• Old Norse influenced English through both violent encounters and peaceful settlement.
• Examples of Old Norse Loanwords:
  • Ransack
  • Slaughter
  • Die
  • Common words: sky, window, husband, happy.

French Influence

• Significant after the Norman Conquest in 1066 led by William the Conqueror.
• French-speaking Normans replaced the English-speaking nobility.
• Nobility continued to use French words in English speech.
• Examples of French Loanwords:
  • Government: chancellor, council, parliament
  • Law: accuse, attorney, judge
  • Religion: relic, service, virgin
  • Arts and Fashion: beauty, fashion, music
• Approx. 10,000 French words entered English during the later Middle Ages (30% of Middle English vocabulary).

Comparison of Texts

• "Beowulf" (Old English): Contains no loanwords.
• "The Canterbury Tales" (Middle English): Contains numerous loanwords from Scandinavian and French (e.g., rota, April, March, etc.).

Conclusion

• Cultural contact has significantly enriched and transformed the English language.
• English continues to borrow from various languages, including Latin, Spanish, German, Hindi, Japanese, and Dutch.
• Language is an ongoing process of change; future evolution may lead to further significant transformations.