1. Changes in English 2
We’re going to learn about the ways our language has changed over time.

2. If you were to meet somebody in England 1500 years ago, neither of you would understand what each other said.

3. Notice I didn’t say understand a word each other said
Notice I didn’t say understand a word each other said. Many of our words go back to 500 AD, when people spoke in Anglo Saxon or ‘Old English’.

4. The thing that looks like a ‘b’ makes a ‘th’ sound.
HWÆT, WE GAR-DEna in geardagum, þeodcyninga þrym gefrunon, hu ða æþelingas ellen fremedon! oft Scyld Scefing sceaþena þreatum, monegum mægþum meodosetla ofteah, egsode eorlas, syððanærest wearð feasceaft funden; he þæs frofre gebad, weox under wolcnum weorðmyndum þah, oð þæt him æghwylc ymbsittendra ofer hronrade hyran scolde, gomban gyldan; þæt wæs god cyning! Ðæm eafera wæs æfter cenned geong in geardum, þone God sende folce to frofre; fyrenðearfe ongeat, þe hie ær drugon aldorlease lange hwile; him þæs Liffrea, wuldres Wealdend woroldare forgeaf, Beowulf wæs breme --- blæd wide sprang--- Scyldes eafera Scedelandum in. Swa sceal geong guma gode gewyrcean, fromum feohgiftumon fæder bearme,
Pretty different. Yet, can you find words which you think you might recognise?
The thing that looks like a ‘b’ makes a ‘th’ sound.

6. The next major shift in our language came with the Norman invasion in 1066.
French became the dominant language. Gradually the two intermingled to create:
Middle English

7. The most famous writer from this period is Geoffery Chaucer.
He is famous for writing The Canterbury Tales.
This is a collection of stories. Each one is told by a different pilgrim to Canterbury.

9. Now we are going to look at early modern English.
Shakespeare is the most famous writer of this period. You will be studying him in other English lessons. We shall look at some other writers.

14. The French invaded and had an enormous influence on English.
Plenary
The Celts and Picts were the earliest inhabitants of these islands. They spoke spoke Gaelic.
The Angles and the Saxons invaded and dominated. They introduced a new language.
The French invaded and had an enormous influence on English.

15. The language has been influenced by trade, travel and the Empire.
It continues to change. Electronic media have created enormous opportunities for languages to intermingle.