Opolentisima, Dysty C.

November 25, 2010

AB Linguistics and Literature Modern Grammar (9:00-10:30TTh)

“MIDDLE ENGLISH”
History of the English Language

The Middle English period began from 12th century and lasted until the middle of 15th
century.This period had an elusive and unfocused character. It was taken into account
by two chapters, the rise of French which resulted from the invasion of the French
people and the rise of English which resulted from the awakening of the nationalism of
the English People.

THE RISE OF FRENCH

It was said that NORMAN FRENCH was the main influence on English brought about
by the invaders to Britain. The accession of WILLIAM OF NORMANDY was followed
and so FRENCH was immediately established in the CORRIDORS OF POWER. During
this time, many French-speaking barons, abbots and bishops were sent to the place.
Within the 20 years of invasion,religious houses and establishments spoke the
FRENCH language solely.

THE RISE OF ENGLISH

The rise of French ended during the Baron's War in 1264-1265. This war awakened the
resting spirit of English nationalism. ENGLISH became more widely used among the
upper classes during the 12th century. Intermarriage among English People was also
evident during this period. Contemporary accounts suggested that children of the
nobility should spoke English as their mother tongue while learning French in school
(towards the end of 12th century). However, the use of French still continued in
government and Parliament proceedings. It was in 1362 that English was used for the
first time at the opening of a Parliament. During 1425, English was evidently and widely
used in England both in writing and in speech.

REASONS FOR SURVIVAL

English language took again its place and defeated the rise of French language. Many
reasons made this endeavor for survival a victorious one and some of them are the
following:

 ENGLISH was already an established language during the 11th century. There is
no way for it to be replaced with another language like FRENCH.

 It has already developed a considerable written literature and a strong oral

tradition.
  150 years of FRENCH invasion “Dark Age in English Language History” was not
enough to take the power of English language.

THE TRANSITION FROM OLD ENGLISH

The fundamental change in the structure of the English language happened during the
11th and 12th centuries. In the OLD ENGLISH, the use of inflectional endings was
utilized to expressed grammatical relationships but during the birth of the MIDDLE
ENGLISH, they were expressed by word order just like today.

DECAY OF INFLECTION

Many reasons were also considered as to the death of the use of inflectional endings
from Old English until the Middle English. Some of these reasons are as stated:

1) This happened because inflectional endings like for instance the words loveth,
kingst, and lovest became difficult to hear.

2) The “FREE” SYSTEM OF ACCENTUATION from the ancestor Germanic

language complicated the rules. Examples of these accentuations are having the
stress within a word and having the main stress on the first syllable. These
different rules that people during those years used interchangeably made it more
confusing. Thus, contributing more hassle and changes with regards to the use
of the English language.

3) The NEUTRALIZATION of vowel qualities also affected the Old English System.

4) CONTACT SITUATION also contributed to the diminishing of the use of

inflectional endings. As many people from different tribes with different cultures
like the Vikings and the Scandinavians were exposed to the users of the English
language, many changes were also applied into the language and its usage.

CREDITS TO:

Crystal, David. Linguistic Encyclopedia

 “MIDDLE ENGLISH”
History of the English Language

The Middle English period began from 12th century and lasted until the middle of 15th century.This period has
an elusive and unfocused character. It was taken into account by two chapters, the rise of French which
resulted from the invasion of the French people and the rise of English which resulted from the awakening of
the nationalism of the English People.

THE RISE OF FRENCH

It was said that NORMAN FRENCH was the main influence on English brought about by the invaders to Britain.
The accession of WILLIAM OF NORMANDY was followed and so FRENCH was immediately established in the
CORRIDORS OF POWER. During this time, many French-speaking barons, abbots and bishops were sent to
the place. Within the 20 years of invasion,religious houses and establishments spoke FRENCH solely.

THE RISE OF ENGLISH

The rise of French ended during the Baron's War in 1264-1265. This war awakened the resting spirit of English
nationalism. ENGLISH became more widely used among the upper classes during the 12th century.
Intermarriage among English People was also evident during this period. Contemporary accounts suggested
that children of the nobility should spoke English as their mother tongue while learning French in school
(towards the end of 12th century). However, the use of French still continued in government and Parliament
proceedings. It was in 1362 that English was used for the first time at the opening of a Parliament. During 1425,
English was evidently and widely used in England both in writing and in speech.

REASONS FOR SURVIVAL

English language took again its place and defeated the rise of French language. Many reasons made this
endeavor for survival a victorious one and some of them are the following:
 ENGLISH was already an established language during the 11th century. There is no way for it to be
replaced with another language like FRENCH.
 It has already developed a considerable written literature and a strong oral tradition.
 150 years of FRENCH invasion “Dark Age in English Language History” was not enough to take the
power of English language.

THE TRANSITION FROM OLD ENGLISH

The fundamental change in the structure of the English language happened during the 11th and 12th centuries.
In the OLD ENGLISH, the use of inflectional endings was utilized to expressed grammatical relationships but
during the birth of the MIDDLE ENGLISH, they were expressed by word order just like today.

DECAY OF INFLECTION
Many reasons were also considered as to the death of the use of inflectional endings from Old English until the
Middle English. Some of these reasons are as stated:
 This happened because inflectional endings like for instance the words loveth, kingst, and lovest
became difficult to hear.
 The “FREE” SYSTEM OF ACCENTUATION from the ancestor Germanic language complicated the
rules. Examples of these accentuations are having the stress within a word and having the main stress
on the first syllable. These different rules that people during those years used interchangeably made it
more confusing. Thus, contributing more hassle and changes with regards to the use of the English
language.
 The NEUTRALIZATION of vowel qualities also affected the Old English System.
 CONTACT SITUATION also contributed to the diminishing of the use of inflectional endings. As many
people from different tribes with different cultures like the Vikings and the Scandinavians were exposed
to the users of the English language, many changes were also applied into the language and its
usage.

CREDITS TO:
Crystal, David. Linguistic Encyclopedia

Prepared by:
Dysty C. Opolentisima