OLD, MIDDLE,
AND MODERN ENGLISH
The history of the English language really started with the arrival of three Germanic tribes, the Angles, the Saxons, and the Jutes who invaded Britain during the 5th century AD.
THE HISTORY OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE IS DIVIDED INTO 3 MAIN PARTS:
What was written during this time period?
1. Old English (449-1100 AD)
Part of Beowulf, a poem written in Old English.
2. Middle English (1100-1500 AD)
What was written during this time period?
The Canterbury Tales
An example of Middle English by Chaucer.
3. Modern English (1500-present day)
Shakespeare
Who wrote during this time period?
Hamlet's famous "To be, or not to be" lines, written in Early Modern English by Shakespeare.
The change between the different periods took hundreds of years and spelling and pronunciation were the primary changes between the way that English was spoken and written.
Now, listen to the Lord’s Prayer and see if you can understand it.
Old English Version
Middle English Version
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=blDM-ibezJQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FM2THezuzlI
“The Lord’s Prayer”
Our Father, who art in Heaven, hollowed 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 debts as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
When the Romans left England, their alphabet had only 26 sounds. When the Anglo-Saxons took over, their combined languages had 66 sounds, for the 26 letters of the
Latin alphabet.
This is how it remains today.
Now—there are many sounds for one letter. For example, there are 7
sounds for the letter “O”.
Pot Hoarse
Took
Toe Boot
Noise
English was once considered slang.
Although, many people spoke English at home, Latin was used in
school and French was used in Parliament.
In fact, although most of English is influence by German, we can see the influence of outside language
on Modern English today.
Examples of French words that we use today:
Genre, Prince, GovernmentExamples of Latin words that we use today:
Bishop, Mass, AngelExamples of Norse words that we use today:
Cake, Sister
BEFORE written English, very few people spoke
it.It originate from small Anglo-Norse tribes.
TODAY—How many people do you think
speak English worldwide?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rexKqvgPVuA
History of English in 10 minutesShort film
A Brief Chronology of the English Language
YEAR EVENT WHY IT’S IMPORTANT
LANGUAGE SPOKEN AT THE TIME
43 AD
Romans invade Britain, beginning of Roman rule
Influence of outside language
Celtic
436-449
Romans leave Britain, German invaders settle
Influence of outside language
Celtic
450-480
Earliest known Old English inscriptions
First record of spoken language in written form
Old English
YEAR EVENT WHY IT’S IMPORTANT
LANGUAGE SPOKEN AT THE TIME
1000 AD
“Beowulf”, the oldest manuscript in the English language, was written
Story showed written grammatical rules of the spoken language
Old English
1150
Earliest surviving manuscripts in Middle English
Records of spoken language in written form, we are able to see how language was changing
Middle English
1348
English replaces Latin in most schools
English was becoming more popular
Middle English
YEAR EVENT WHY IT’S IMPORTANT
LANGUAGE SPOKEN AT THE TIME
1604
Table Alphabeticall, the first English dictionary, is published
Set standards for written English
Modern English
1828
Webster publishes his American English dictionary
Set standards for written English
Modern English