Development of English in the 13 th and 14 th century Middle English (11 th -15 th century)

The Norman Conquest (1 066) Descendants of the Vikings Norman French Central French Other latin words came to English through French French was the language of literature, court, fashionable society, politics, etc. Literary adoption of French words began in the 12 th century and has continued to the present time.

The Norman Conquest (1 066) The English writers of the 13 th and 14 th century felt free to introduce a French word whenever they pleased. Geoffrey Chaucer ( ): The Canterbury Tales

The Loss of French Connections The loss on Normandy (1 204) King John I was forced to sign the Magna Charta (1 215)

The Black Death (14 th century) Beginning of the Hundred Years War (France became the enemy) 1/3 of the population died Lack of labur force, laborers were valued more Lower class moved up to the middle class and the English language acquired a higher status

Re-establishment of English Statute of Pleading (1 362): the official recognition of the English language in England Parliament was opened with its first speech made in English this year

Middle English Suppression of the AS element in the upper classes Confinement in the lower classes (mainly agricultural population)

Norman and French Influence French influence increasingly evident in English manuscripts in the 13th century French words Mechanisms of law Administration Medicine Art Fashion

Norman and French Influence Largest number of French loans between 1351 and 1400 Over 70 percent were nouns Mainly abstract terms French affixes Con-, trans-, pre- -ance, -tion, -ment

Norman and French Influence Many duplications Different meanings Doom (OE) – Judgment (F) Hearty (OE) – Cordial (F) House (OE) – Mansion (F)

Norman and French Influence 1. LEXICAL LEVEL State administration Crown – state – government – reign – minister – chancellor – parliament – nation – country – duke – marquis – viscount - baron

Norman and French Influence Military terminology War – peace – enemy – battle – siege – ensign – officer – colonel – chieftain – navy Art Art – beauty – colour – image – design – figure – ornament - to paint

Norman and French Influence Terminology of law Justice – jury – judge – cause – suit – crime – penalty Religious terminology Religion – service – baptism – altar – Saviour – friar – pray – prayer - angel

Norman and French Influence Science Calendar – geometry – logic – stomach – poison – surgeon – pulse The home Basin – blanket – ceiling – chair – chamber – chimney – curtain – parlour – towel General nouns Age – comfort – flower – number – marriage – mischief - spirit

Norman and French Influence Verbs Advise – allow – change – marry – please – suppose – reply Phrases By heart Come to head Make complaint On the point of Take pity on

Norman and French Influence Cookery terms Toast – sausage – sauce – boil – dinner – supper Fashion Dress – costume – garment- ornament - satin Architecture Arch – tower – pillar – porch – column – aisle – palace – castle – manor - mansion

Uniqueness Kinds of meat that were regularly consumed are of Norman origin : Veal – beef – port – mutton – venison – brawn Terms denoting the corresponding animals are of native origin: Calf – ox – cow – swine – sheep – dear - boar

Morphological differences 2. MORPHOLOGICAL LEVEL A. Reshaping of the grammatical system of English B. Simplification of declensional and conjugational paradigms C. The fixation of word order

Central French influence Paris established as the centre of influence in France Parisian French was more prestigious Concesquence : New loans Calange – Challenge Reward – Regard Prisun – Prison Gaol – Jail Warden - guardian

Latin influence 14-15th century – several thousand words came from Latin Professional or technical terms Religion Medicine Law Literature WHY LATIN WORDS? Writers wanted to produce a „high style“

Latin influence Only small number of these words entered the language Meditation Oriental Prolixity The mayority died out ass soon as born

Latin influence There was a simultaneous borrowing of French and Latin words OEFR.LAT. Kingly royal regal Rise mout ascend Ask question interrogate

Latin influence ADMINISTRATION AND LAW Custody Gratis Homicide Memorandum Testify Testimony Convinction Conspiracy...

Latin influence SCIENCE AND LEARNING Etcetera Comet Discuss Desk Index History Genius Library...

Latin influence RELIGION Immortal Incarnate Mediator Memento Requiem Rosary Scripture Magnificat...

Latin influence GENERAL Collision Depression Exclude Incredible Individual Private Picture Quiet...