Chapter 2 The development of the English vocabulary

The Indo-European Language Family 3,000languages 300 language families Indo-European: most of the languages of Europe, the Near East and India. Parent thought to be a highly inflected lg, then isolated and further developed into separate lgs. The surviving lgs bear some kind of similarities.

Historical overview The first people—Celts:Celtic B.C. Roman invasion---Latin Germanic tribes

Old English: ( ) Angles, Saxons, Jutes---Anglo-Saxon Latin-speaking Roman missionaries under St. Augustine to spread Christianity at the end of 6 th century. However, the Old English users did not borrow heavily from other lgs,. Instead, they created new words by combining two native words. (handbook) 9th century: invasion by Norwegian and Danish Viking---many Scandinavian words came into the English lg. Old English: 50,000 to 60,000 words and highly inflected

Middle English ( _ Norman Conquest in 1066: a continual flow of French words into English. Norman French were considered polite speech and by the end of 11 th century, Norman French was in common use. Latin, French, and English 13 th century, English regained its position in society. Back into a position of importance after Wycliff’s translation of the Bible and the writings of Chaucer, Langland and others : about 9,000 words of French origin poured into English. 75% still in use today. Trade with low countries, Holland—2,500 words of Dutch origin into English Fewer inflection.

Modern English (1500-up to now) Establishment of printing Early modern English ( ) Upsurge of Greek and Latin Over 10,000 new words into English Together with those from French, contributed to the latinate flavour of Modern English. Late Modern English (1700 up)

Growth of present-day English vocabulary The rapid development of modern science and technology Social, economic and political changes The influence from other cultures and lgs.

Modes of vocabulary development Creation refers to the formation of new words by using the existing materials, namely, roots, affixes and other elements. Semantic change means an old form which takes on a new meaning to meet the new need. This does not increase the number of word forms but create more new usages of the words, thus enriching the vocabulary. Borrowing has played a vital role in the development of vocabulary, esp. in earlier times. French, Latin, Scandinavian, Greek Economy and politics lead to the change of the role of different lgs. Reviving archaic or obsolete words also contributes to the growth of English vocabulary.