The History of English How English has Changed Over the Past 1500 Years

Outline The Pre-English Period The Pre-English Period The Old English Period The Old English Period The Middle English Period The Middle English Period The Early Modern English Period The Early Modern English Period The Modern English Period The Modern English Period

The Pre-English Period

In the Beginning… The birth of civilization and language was Mesopotamia (modern day Iraq and Iran) The birth of civilization and language was Mesopotamia (modern day Iraq and Iran) Proto-World—first language ever spoken Proto-World—first language ever spoken Traced back 50,000 years Traced back 50,000 years Known as the “Mother Tongue” Known as the “Mother Tongue” Mother of all dead and modern languages Mother of all dead and modern languages Proto-Indo-European is a daughter language; ancestor of European based languages Proto-Indo-European is a daughter language; ancestor of European based languages

Centum vs. Satem All Proto-Indo-European languages can be divided into two major groups: All Proto-Indo-European languages can be divided into two major groups: Centum—the Western European languages Centum—the Western European languages Satem—the Eastern European and Asian languages Satem—the Eastern European and Asian languages Difference between groups comes in pronunciation of the word meaning “one hundred” Difference between groups comes in pronunciation of the word meaning “one hundred” English is a Centum language English is a Centum language

Direct Descendants of English West Germanic Low German Old Dutch Dutch Flemish Afrikaans Modern Low German Frisian Old English Middle English Early Modern English Modern English High German Modern High German Yiddish

The Old English Period

Old English Period England inhabited by Celtic Tribes England inhabited by Celtic Tribes Barbarians Barbarians Violent and crude people Violent and crude people Diseased Diseased Romans conquer in 55 AD Romans conquer in 55 AD Technology (aqueduct) Technology (aqueduct) Roads Roads Weaponry and Defense Weaponry and Defense Latin Language Latin Language

Old English Period Roman Empire begins to crumble Roman Empire begins to crumble British Provinces relinquished in 409 AD British Provinces relinquished in 409 AD Leave little behind… just a little Latin Leave little behind… just a little Latin Celtic fight over land Celtic fight over land One tribe calls on aid of 3 German tribes One tribe calls on aid of 3 German tribes Angles Angles Saxons Saxons Jutes Jutes

German tribes invade; mesh to form Old English German tribes invade; mesh to form Old English Celtic Celtic Anglian Anglian Saxon Saxon Jute Jute Other barbarian tribes retreat to Northern and Western Britain Other barbarian tribes retreat to Northern and Western Britain

Old English Period 597—Pagan Celts converted to Christianity 597—Pagan Celts converted to Christianity Language of the Church is Latin Language of the Church is Latin 787—Scandinavian Invasion 787—Scandinavian Invasion Attempt to conquer all of England in 865 Attempt to conquer all of England in 865 English fight back (Alfred the Great) English fight back (Alfred the Great) 871—Treaty of Wedmore 871—Treaty of Wedmore Establishes the Danelaw—Scandinavian England; land north and east of line under Viking Rule Establishes the Danelaw—Scandinavian England; land north and east of line under Viking Rule

Influences on English Celtic Anglian Saxon Jute Latin Scandinavian

Old English Period 1000—the epic Beowulf is written 1000—the epic Beowulf is written 1042—Scandinavians blend in with English (absorption) 1042—Scandinavians blend in with English (absorption) 1066—Norman Conquest 1066—Norman Conquest End of the Old English Period End of the Old English Period

Characteristics of Old English Vowels were pronounced longer Vowels were pronounced longer The letters j, q, and v were never used in writing even though the sounds were The letters j, q, and v were never used in writing even though the sounds were Grammatical Gender Grammatical Gender Much like French Much like French Writing dealt with themes of religion and isolation Writing dealt with themes of religion and isolation

The Old English Language Fæder ure þu þe eart on heofonum, Si þin nama gehalgod. To bekume þin rike gewurþe ðin willa, on eorðan swa on heofonum urne gedæghwamlikan hlaf syle us todæg, and forgyf us ure gyltas, swa we forgyfað urum gyltendum. and ne gelæd þu us on kostnunge, ak alys us of yfele. soþlike.