History of the English language
In a nutshell
The English language has undergone drastic changes since the 5th century and was influenced by many factors, making it what it is today. In this summary you will learn all the different stages of the development of the English language and how these changes have contributed to the 'prescriptivist' vs 'descriptivist' points of view.
A Dictionary of the English Language
In 1755, Dr. Samuel Johnson published A Dictionary of the English Language that became very popular and was also used as a reference text. This dictionary was seen as a milestone in lexicography because it helped to standardise spelling and the meanings of words and phrases. However, Dr. Johnson's choice of literary sources to help back up his work were based on English writers from the 16th and 17th centuries.
The development of the English language
Time period
| Language development
| Examples of words still in use
|
| Pre-English period (5th century) | Celtic languages are more prominent and Latin is the language of the government.
| Water |
| Badger |
| Early Old English (450-c.850) | Germanic dialects are introduced in England and Southern Scotland.
| Bride
|
| Anyway |
| Hunger |
| Iron
|
| Altogether
|
| Elf |
| Later Old English (c.850-1100) | Viking invasions influence the dialects in the north of England, and King Alfred in the south translates Latin texts into Old English.
| Egg
|
| Husband
|
| Skin |
| Sky |
| Cow |
| Sheep
|
| Middle English (c.1100 - 1450) | The Norman Conquest in 1066 removes Old English as the language of power and replaces it with Norman French. Latin is the language of the Church and most educated people speak three languages: French, Latin and English. | French loanwords: baron, count, duke, prince, council, government, nation, veal, beef, pork. |
| Early Modern English (1450 - 1750) | As Britain colonises many countries, English develops among African populations and the beginning of printing helps to standardise English. London English is seen as the most distinguished power but Latin is seen as a more cultured language. Writers like Shakespeare help to expand the English vocabulary and, in 1611, the King James Bible is published in English. | Phrases from the King James Bible:
- A law unto themselves;
- A man after his own heart;
- A thief in the night;
- All things to all men;
- And the word was made flesh.
|
| Latin loanwords: Adapt, agile, assassinate, autograph, benefit, chaos, climax, crisis, critic, disability, encyclopaedia. |
| Modern English (1750-1950) | With the Industrial Revolution taking place in Britain, the Empire secures great power. Education in English is introduced and the codification of English is obtained through Dr. Johnson's Dictionary of the English Language. | British colonies loanwords:
pyjamas, trek, jungle, pundit. |
| Late Modern English (c.1950-present-day)
| The British Empire crumbles and new forms of Standard English appear in former colonies. English has become a global language.
| Words emerging thanks to the technological revolution: website, Twitter, tweet, Facebook, blog, vlog. |
Language change
Language is in constant change and during your lifetime you have probably experienced some type of language development, even if it's in the way you write text messages. Language change is also the result of the development of science, technology, politics, culture and society as a whole, especially with the transition into a modern society. For example, the Industrial Revolution and the scientific growth that came with it demanded a more precise and analytical language. Even though these changes are inevitable in any language, people are constantly arguing about what type of language is 'correct'.
Prescriptivist and descriptivist approaches
Writing about language can be prescriptive or descriptive depending on how you look at the changes.
Prescriptive
The prescriptive approach considers one form of language more valuable than the other. This approach has a more authoritarian stance and demands rules for the use of language. For example, 'you should never end a sentence with a preposition'. Prescriptivists believe that there is a correct way to use language and that any other form is wrong.
Descriptive
The descriptive approach does not make any judgements regarding the use of language. This approach tries to explain the factors that cause the English language to show variation. They explore the social and cultural influences that affect the language instead of believing that only one form is correct.
Areas of interest
Even though both perspectives have opposing opinions, they study the changes of language in the same way. Here are some of the areas of interest:
- English lexicon as well as semantic change;
- Phonology (spoken English);
- Grammar (syntax);
- Graphology: orthography and punctuation;
- Structure and organisation of texts.
Definitions
Loanword: A loanword is an English word that was "borrowed" from another language.
Standard English: Standard English is the from of English that is considered by prescriptivists to be the 'correct' form and use of the language.
