A Brief History of the English Language

Confusing?  Why is the man who invests all your money called a broker?

Confusing?  Why are wisemen and wise guys opposites?

Confusing?  If the plural of tooth is teeth, shouldn't the plural of phone booth be phone beeth?  If the teacher taught, why didn't the preacher praught?  If the plural of tooth is teeth, shouldn't the plural of phone booth be phone beeth?  If the teacher taught, why didn't the preacher praught?

Can you read these so they are read right the first time?  The bandage was wound around the wound.  The farm was used to produce produce.  The dump was so full that it had to refuse more refuse.  The bandage was wound around the wound.  The farm was used to produce produce.  The dump was so full that it had to refuse more refuse.

Can you read these so they are read right the first time?  We must polish the Polish furniture.  He could lead the discussion if he would get the lead out the pencil.  Not liking sweets, the soldier decided to desert his dessert in the desert.  We must polish the Polish furniture.  He could lead the discussion if he would get the lead out the pencil.  Not liking sweets, the soldier decided to desert his dessert in the desert.

Can you read these so they are read right the first time?  Since there is no time like the present, he thought it was time to present the present.  When shot at, the dove dove into the bushes.  I did not object to the object.  The insurance was invalid for the invalid.  Since there is no time like the present, he thought it was time to present the present.  When shot at, the dove dove into the bushes.  I did not object to the object.  The insurance was invalid for the invalid.

Can you read these so they are read right the first time?  There was a row among the oarsmen about how to row.  They were too close to the door to close it.  The buck does funny things when the does are present.  There was a row among the oarsmen about how to row.  They were too close to the door to close it.  The buck does funny things when the does are present.

Can you read these so they are read right the first time?  A seamstress and a sewer fell down into a sewer line.  To help with planting, the farmer taught his sow to sow.  A seamstress and a sewer fell down into a sewer line.  To help with planting, the farmer taught his sow to sow.

Can you read these so they are read right the first time?  The wind was too strong to wind the sail.  Upon seeing the tear in the painting I shed a tear.  I had to subject the subject to a series of tests.  The wind was too strong to wind the sail.  Upon seeing the tear in the painting I shed a tear.  I had to subject the subject to a series of tests.

So why is English so confusing?

English is a borrowed language.

English comes from England, of course, but what do you know of England?

The early inhabitants were hunters, gatherers, and wanderers.

Their words reflected their lives.

 The first people in England about whose language we have definite knowledge are the Celts.

 The ancient Celts were great wanderers and conquerors and their words reflected this.

55 B.C. was the beginning of the Roman raids on the British Isles

 It was in A.D. 43 that the Emperor Claudius decided to undertake the actual conquest of Britain

They bring words that deal with  Roads  Commerce  Law  Education  Roads  Commerce  Law  Education

In A.D , Roman troops left Britain to defend Italy

 This action forced the Britains, and other provinces, to defend themselves with no help from Roman troops.

 In A.D. 450, receiving no aid from Rome to fight off the Picts and Irish, the British Celts appealed to the Jutes for help.

In 793 A.D. The first serious Viking incursions began.

English and Scandinavian languages intertwined as their users turned from enemies into neighbors

Years of fighting continue.  Different groups set up kingdoms and challenge each other Until

In 1066, William, the Duke of Normandy invades

The Norman Conquest changed the whole course of the English language. There was a loss of the Old English word-stock and the addition of thousands of words from French and Latin.

Understanding the Impact  Because the English underclass cooked for the Norman upper class, the words for most domestic animals are English (ox, cow, calf, sheep, swine, deer) while the words for the meats derived from them are French (beef, veal, mutton, pork, bacon, venison).

Understanding the Impact  The Germanic form of plurals (house, housen; shoe, shoen) was eventually displaced by the French method of making plurals: adding an "s" (house, houses; shoe, shoes). Only a few words have retained their Germanic plurals: men, oxen, feet, teeth, children.

Understanding the Impact  French also affected spelling so that the cw sound became qu; for example, cween became "queen".

 Years later, war broke out. In , during the Hundred Years' War, French became the language of England's enemy.

 1474 William Caxton brings a printing press to England from Germany. Publishes the first printed book in England. Beginning of the long process of standardization of spelling.

 Also significant beginning around 1600 AD was the English colonization of North America and the subsequent creation of a distinct American dialect.

 Several cultures come together and influence the language.

 Technology has affected our language.

 # AFAIC — "as far as I'm concerned", or "as far as I care", or "as far as I can..."  # AFAIK — "as far as I know"  # AFAIR — "as far as I recall", or "as far as I remember"  # AFK — "away from keyboard"  # ASAP — "as soon as possible"  # BBL — "be back later"  # AFAIC — "as far as I'm concerned", or "as far as I care", or "as far as I can..."  # AFAIK — "as far as I know"  # AFAIR — "as far as I recall", or "as far as I remember"  # AFK — "away from keyboard"  # ASAP — "as soon as possible"  # BBL — "be back later"

How English has changed. Lord's Prayer I (Exeter Book,10th c.) [....]g fæder, þu þe on heofonum eardast, geweorðad wuldres dreame. Sy þinum weorcum halgad noma niþþa bearnum; þu eart nergend wera. Cyme þin rice wide, ond þin rædfæst willa aræred under rodores hrofe, eac þon on rumre foldan. (The Exeter Book, ed. Krapp and Dobbie 1936) Lord's Prayer I (Exeter Book,10th c.) [....]g fæder, þu þe on heofonum eardast, geweorðad wuldres dreame. Sy þinum weorcum halgad noma niþþa bearnum; þu eart nergend wera. Cyme þin rice wide, ond þin rædfæst willa aræred under rodores hrofe, eac þon on rumre foldan. (The Exeter Book, ed. Krapp and Dobbie 1936)

How English has changed. Middle English Matthew 6.9 (Wycliffe's translation, c. 1380) Oure fadir that art in heuenes, halewid be thi name; thi kyndoom come to; be thi wille don in erthe as in heuene: gyue to us this dai oure breed ouer othir substaunce; and forgyue to us oure dettis, as we forgyuen to oure gettouris; and lede us not in to temptacioun, but delyuere us fro yuel. Middle English Matthew 6.9 (Wycliffe's translation, c. 1380) Oure fadir that art in heuenes, halewid be thi name; thi kyndoom come to; be thi wille don in erthe as in heuene: gyue to us this dai oure breed ouer othir substaunce; and forgyue to us oure dettis, as we forgyuen to oure gettouris; and lede us not in to temptacioun, but delyuere us fro yuel.

How English has changed. Early Modern English Book of Common Prayer (1559) Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation. But deliver us from evil. Amen. (Morning prayer; modern spelling edition, ed. Booty (1976)) Early Modern English Book of Common Prayer (1559) Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation. But deliver us from evil. Amen. (Morning prayer; modern spelling edition, ed. Booty (1976))

How English has changed. Late Modern English Book of Common Prayer (1928) Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen. Late Modern English Book of Common Prayer (1928) Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

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