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The Formation of the English Language

The Formation of the English Language. Ms. Mathews English 10H. “The making of English is the story of four invasions and a cultural revolution.” . The language in its simplest form was brought to Britain by Germanic tribes: The Angles The Saxons The Frisians The Jutes

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The Formation of the English Language

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  1. The Formation of the English Language Ms. Mathews English 10H

  2. “The making of English is the story of four invasions and a cultural revolution.”

  3. The language in its simplest form was brought to Britain by Germanic tribes: • The Angles • The Saxons • The Frisians • The Jutes • The language was influenced by Latin and Greek when St. Augustine and his followers converted England to Christianity • The language was subtly enriched by the Danes after their invasion • The language was transformed by the French-speaking Normans after their invasion

  4. The Celts inhabited the British Isles. • The Celtic Britons had the misfortune to inhabit an island that was highly desirable both for its agriculture and minerals. • People started to invade… Before all of this…

  5. In 55 B.C., Julius Caesar and his legions invaded Britain. • In order to keep the British tribes in check, they built Hadrian’s Wall. • In A.D. 410, the Roman Empire collapsed and the Roman troops left Britain. • Other people began to turn their intention to Britain. Invasion #1: The Romans

  6. In 449 A.D., the Angles, Saxons, and Jutes sailed across the North Sea from Denmark and Germany. • Native tribes (led perhaps by King Arthur) fought against the Germanic tribes • Eventually, the Germanic tribes were driven westward by the Anglo-Saxon warriors. Invasion #2: Anglo-Saxons

  7. When the Anglo-Saxons landed on the shores of Britain, they introduced the island to the English language. • We refer to this language as Old English. Anglo-Saxon influence on language

  8. Anglo-Saxons settled down and began farming: • Sheep, shepherd, ox, earth, plough, swine, dog, wood, field, and work are words of Anglo-Saxon origin • The 100 most common words in modern English are of Anglo-Saxon origin. • The, is, you, me, my, etc. Anglo-Saxon influence on language, continued…

  9. Anglo-Saxons relied on speech because theirs was an oral culture. • They loved riddles, ambiguity, word-play, etc. Anglo-Saxon attitude towards language

  10. I’m told a certain object grows in the corner, rises and expands, throws up a crust. A proud wife carried off that boneless wonder, the daughter of a King covered that swollen thing with a cloth. • Answer… Can you figure out this riddle?

  11. DOUGH

  12. In 597 A.D., St. Augustine and his followers traveled to Britain to convert the Anglo-Saxons • Though the Anglo-Saxons were known to be savage, the conversion was peaceful…no bloodshed, no martyrs • The Anglo-Saxons built churches and monasteries A Cultural Revolution: Christianity

  13. With the conversion, Anglo-Saxons were introduced to more than 400 new words (Latin and Greek in origin) • Many are still here today: • angel, disciple, litany, martyr, mass, relic, etc. Christianity influenced the English language…

  14. Between 750 and 1050 A.D., Scandinavian people moved all over Europe, plundering, conquering, and settling different lands. • In A.D. 793, they came to Britain… Invasion #3: The Vikings

  15. They plundered the monasteries of Jarrow and Lindisfarne. • By the middle of the ninth century, almost half the country was in Viking hands. • The Vikings went after the jewel of the island…Wessex Viking Invasion, continued...

  16. The king of Wessex, a young man named Alfred, successfully maintained control of one part of Britain. • When he saved Wessex, he saved the English language. Viking Invasion, continued...

  17. King Alfred worked to restore his kingdom. • He rebuilt monasteries and schools. • He used English as a basis for education. Alfred the Great

  18. Since Danes and Saxons lived side by side, their languages fused so they could communicate. (Beowulf demonstrates this change) • During this time period, the language was simplified also for the purpose of communication. Influence of the Viking invasion on the English language…

  19. In 1066, the Normans invaded Britain, changing the English language forever. • Normans seized control over everything, churches, court, etc. • French was spoken everywhere. Invasion #4: The Normans

  20. Although French was spoken at court, in law, etc., the English people kept their own language alive orally. • English survived because… • It was well established • Normans began to marry the English • There were more English than Normans Norman Invasion, continued…

  21. The Normans increased the Anglo-Saxon vocabulary. Many synonyms began to appear. While the Anglo-Saxons only had “kingly” to describe a ruler, the Normans added “royal”, “regal” and “sovereign.” • The Normans gave the Anglo-Saxons the opportunity to make distinctions and adjust meaning through language. Influence of the Norman Invasion on English…

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