The Formation of the The Formation of the English LanguageEnglish Language

Ms. MathewsEnglish 10H

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

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

Before all of this…Before all of this…

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…

Invasion #1: The RomansInvasion #1: The Romans

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 #2: Anglo-SaxonsInvasion #2: Anglo-Saxons

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.

Anglo-Saxon influence on Anglo-Saxon influence on languagelanguage

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 Anglo-Saxon influence on language, continued… language, continued…

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 attitude towards Anglo-Saxon attitude towards languagelanguage

Anglo-Saxons relied on speech because theirs was an oral culture.

They loved riddles, ambiguity, word-play, etc.

Can you figure out this riddle?Can you figure out this riddle?

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…

DOUGHDOUGH

A Cultural Revolution: A Cultural Revolution: ChristianityChristianity

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

Christianity influenced the Christianity influenced the English language…English language…

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.

Invasion #3: The VikingsInvasion #3: The Vikings

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…

Viking Invasion, continued...Viking Invasion, continued...

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...Viking Invasion, continued...

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.

Alfred the GreatAlfred the Great

King Alfred worked to restore his kingdom.

He rebuilt monasteries and schools.

He used English as a basis for education.

Influence of the Viking Influence of the Viking invasion on the English invasion on the English language…language…

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.

Invasion #4: The NormansInvasion #4: The Normans

In 1066, the Normans invaded Britain, changing the English language forever.

Normans seized control over everything, churches, court, etc.

French was spoken everywhere.

Norman Invasion, continued…Norman Invasion, continued…

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

Influence of the Norman Influence of the Norman Invasion on English…Invasion on English…

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.