Language change timeline

1. Approaching Language Approaching Language
changechange
1.1.Learn about the history & Learn about the history &
development of the English development of the English
language (this informs AO3)language (this informs AO3)
2.2.Analysis of texts (you will not Analysis of texts (you will not
be given any texts before be given any texts before
1600)1600)
3.3.Theories of language change Theories of language change
(how & why)(how & why)
4.4.Attitudes to language change Attitudes to language change
(also important for Section B)(also important for Section B)

2. The history of the English The history of the English
LanguageLanguage
The history of English can be divided into The history of English can be divided into
several periods:several periods:
Old English Old English (many influences but mainly (many influences but mainly
Germanic) Germanic)
Middle English Middle English (the change begins with (the change begins with
the invasion of the Normans)the invasion of the Normans)
Early Modern English Early Modern English (from c. 1476 & can (from c. 1476 & can
be divided into pre-Victorian & Victorian)be divided into pre-Victorian & Victorian)
Modern English Modern English (post-Victoria and covers (post-Victoria and covers
2020
thth
century) century)
Contemporary English Contemporary English (this period (this period
obviously changes with every year)obviously changes with every year)

3. Celts 500BC-43BCCelts 500BC-43BC
Early inhabitants of these islands Early inhabitants of these islands
The Celts are the earliest inhabitants The Celts are the earliest inhabitants
of the British Isles to leave a mark on of the British Isles to leave a mark on
our language.our language.
Celtic words - Celtic words - In fact, very few In fact, very few
Celtic words have lived on in the Celtic words have lived on in the
English language. But many of our English language. But many of our
place names have Celtic origins, place names have Celtic origins,
such as such as London, DoverLondon, Dover and and Kent,Kent, & &
the rivers the rivers ThamesThames & & Wye.Wye.

4. Romans 43BC-c.450ADRomans 43BC-c.450AD
Romans invade and rule British Isles for Romans invade and rule British Isles for
over 400 years. over 400 years. Only around 200 Latin Only around 200 Latin
loanwords are inherited from the Romans - loanwords are inherited from the Romans -
although by the 6th century the Church will although by the 6th century the Church will
have brought many more.have brought many more.
Roman words - Roman words - Many of the words passed Many of the words passed
on from this era are those coined by on from this era are those coined by
Roman merchants and soldiers. These Roman merchants and soldiers. These
include include winwin (wine), (wine), candelcandel (candle), (candle),
beltbelt(belt) and (belt) and weall (weall (wall).wall).

5. Anglo Saxons 449ADAnglo Saxons 449AD
Germanic tribes - Angles, Saxons and Jutes - Germanic tribes - Angles, Saxons and Jutes -
begin to arrive - begin to arrive - Anglo Saxon dialects form the Anglo Saxon dialects form the
basis of the language we now call Old English. basis of the language we now call Old English.
About 400 Anglo-Saxon texts survive from this era, About 400 Anglo-Saxon texts survive from this era,
including many beautiful poems - these tell tales of including many beautiful poems - these tell tales of
wild battles and heroic journeys.wild battles and heroic journeys.
Anglo Saxon words - Anglo Saxon words - Approximately one third of Approximately one third of
Anglo-Saxon vocabulary survives into modern Anglo-Saxon vocabulary survives into modern
English, including many of our most basic, English, including many of our most basic,
everyday words: everyday words: earth, house, food, sing, earth, house, food, sing,
nightnight and and sleepsleep. By the 7th century Latin speakers . By the 7th century Latin speakers
refer to this country as refer to this country as AngliaAnglia - the land of - the land of
the the AnglesAngles - a name that will later develop into - a name that will later develop into
EnglandEngland..

6. Vikings 789ADVikings 789AD
The year 789 sees the first Danish invasion of The year 789 sees the first Danish invasion of
Britain - Britain - For a hundred years the Vikings control For a hundred years the Vikings control
most of Eastern England, before being pushed back most of Eastern England, before being pushed back
into the North East of the country by King Alfred the into the North East of the country by King Alfred the
Great. They remain in power in the North East until Great. They remain in power in the North East until
the late 900s, in an area then known as Danelaw. the late 900s, in an area then known as Danelaw.
During this time King Alfred uses the English During this time King Alfred uses the English
language to develop a sense of national identity language to develop a sense of national identity
amongst the English.amongst the English.
Norse words - Norse words - These raiders and settlers bring These raiders and settlers bring
almost 2000 new words into the English vocabulary. almost 2000 new words into the English vocabulary.
Words derived from Norse include Words derived from Norse include anger, awkward, anger, awkward,
cake, die, egg, freckle, muggy,cake, die, egg, freckle, muggy, reindeer, silver, reindeer, silver,
skirtskirt and and smilesmile. Many Northern English dialect . Many Northern English dialect
words still bear traces of Scandinavian languages, words still bear traces of Scandinavian languages,
as do many place names such as Whitby and as do many place names such as Whitby and
Grimsby.Grimsby.

7. What we know from textsWhat we know from texts
The scribes previously used to write in The scribes previously used to write in
Latin and Anglo-Saxon or Old English Latin and Anglo-Saxon or Old English
proved a problem due to some of its proved a problem due to some of its
sounds not existing in Latin. E.g th sounds; sounds not existing in Latin. E.g th sounds;
k sounds; different vowel sounds. So they k sounds; different vowel sounds. So they
made up lots of rules for when to use made up lots of rules for when to use
which symbol in writing. However these which symbol in writing. However these
were not widespread and varied from one were not widespread and varied from one
monastery to the other monastery to the other

8. BeowulfBeowulf

9. Normans 1066Normans 1066
The Normans invade - The Normans invade - The Normans transform The Normans transform
England, both culturally and linguistically. For over England, both culturally and linguistically. For over
300 years French is the language spoken by the 300 years French is the language spoken by the
most powerful people - royalty, aristocrats and high-most powerful people - royalty, aristocrats and high-
powered officials - some of whom can't speak powered officials - some of whom can't speak
English at all. French is used in political documents, English at all. French is used in political documents,
in administration, and in literature. Latin is still the in administration, and in literature. Latin is still the
language of the church and of scholars, but most of language of the church and of scholars, but most of
the general population speak English in their the general population speak English in their
everyday lives.everyday lives.
French words - French words - Thousands of French words Thousands of French words
become embedded in the English vocabulary, most become embedded in the English vocabulary, most
of which are words of power, such as of which are words of power, such as crown, castle, crown, castle,
court, parliament, army, mansion, gown, beauty, court, parliament, army, mansion, gown, beauty,
banquet, art, poet, romance, chess,banquet, art, poet, romance, chess, colour, duke, colour, duke,
servant, peasant, traitor servant, peasant, traitor and and governor.governor.

10. ChaucerChaucer

11. SpellingSpelling
Once all the French words came in the scribes had Once all the French words came in the scribes had
to apply all the rules they had made up to the new to apply all the rules they had made up to the new
words. E.g. baggage. words. E.g. baggage.
But the French scribes came along too with their But the French scribes came along too with their
own set of rules! own set of rules!
We also start to get new words entering the We also start to get new words entering the
language with the same sound as an already language with the same sound as an already
existing word, e.g. stake was established in the 14existing word, e.g. stake was established in the 14
thth

century, so when the word for the strip of meat came century, so when the word for the strip of meat came
in in the 15in in the 15
thth
century, the scribes had to give it a new century, the scribes had to give it a new
spelling to distinguish it form its already existing spelling to distinguish it form its already existing
homophone. “We see them experimenting with homophone. “We see them experimenting with
different possibilities like steike, steyke, styke, different possibilities like steike, steyke, styke,
steake and steke, until eventually steak prevailed”. steake and steke, until eventually steak prevailed”.
Chaos ensued which is why the spelling of English Chaos ensued which is why the spelling of English
is notoriously difficult to learn!is notoriously difficult to learn!

12. Magic EMagic E
Some of the rules made up by scribes went as Some of the rules made up by scribes went as
follows:follows:
If a short vowel in a monosyllabic word is followed If a short vowel in a monosyllabic word is followed
by a consonant, double it when adding a suffix e.g. by a consonant, double it when adding a suffix e.g.
tap – tapping.tap – tapping.
If a long vowel is followed by a single consonant in If a long vowel is followed by a single consonant in
a monosyllabic word, add an ‘e’ on the end. E.g. a monosyllabic word, add an ‘e’ on the end. E.g.
tape.tape.

13. The Great Vowel ShiftThe Great Vowel Shift
The The Great Vowel ShiftGreat Vowel Shift was a major change in the pronunciation was a major change in the pronunciation
of the English language that took place in England between 1350 of the English language that took place in England between 1350
and 1700. The Great Vowel Shift was first studied by Otto and 1700. The Great Vowel Shift was first studied by Otto
Jespersen (1860–1943), a Danish linguist who coined the term.Jespersen (1860–1943), a Danish linguist who coined the term.
The Great Vowel Shift is responsible for many of the peculiarities The Great Vowel Shift is responsible for many of the peculiarities
of English spelling.of English spelling.
Many long vowels became shorter.Many long vowels became shorter.
Many diphthongs became monophthongs.Many diphthongs became monophthongs.
Sometimes this is reflected in changes in spelling and sometimes Sometimes this is reflected in changes in spelling and sometimes
unfortunately it is not.unfortunately it is not.
Why is this important?Why is this important?
When we get an EME text some words may be orthographically When we get an EME text some words may be orthographically
different in Modern English and we need to be able to describe different in Modern English and we need to be able to describe
that difference with reference to spelling rules or events that may that difference with reference to spelling rules or events that may
have for some reason altered that spelling. have for some reason altered that spelling.

14. 100 Years War 1337-1450s100 Years War 1337-1450s
100 Years War fought between England and 100 Years War fought between England and
France - France - Following the 100 Years War, many Following the 100 Years War, many
people regard French as the language of the people regard French as the language of the
enemy. The status of English rises. The universities enemy. The status of English rises. The universities
of Oxford & Cambridge are established during this of Oxford & Cambridge are established during this
period. Literacy increases but books are still copied period. Literacy increases but books are still copied
by hand and are therefore extremely expensive.by hand and are therefore extremely expensive.
New Latin words - New Latin words - Many thousands of Latin words Many thousands of Latin words
come into the language, most of which are come into the language, most of which are
connected to religion, medicine, law or literature. connected to religion, medicine, law or literature.
These words include These words include scripture, collect, immortal, scripture, collect, immortal,
history, library, solar, recipehistory, library, solar, recipe and and genius.genius.

15. Renaissance 1476-1650Renaissance 1476-1650
A time of great cultural and intellectual development A time of great cultural and intellectual development
In 1476, In 1476, Caxton introduces the printing press to EnglandCaxton introduces the printing press to England. He . He
prints all kinds of texts: mythic tales, popular stories, poems, prints all kinds of texts: mythic tales, popular stories, poems,
phrasebooks, devotional pieces & grammars. In the following 150 phrasebooks, devotional pieces & grammars. In the following 150
years around 20,000 books are printed. Books years around 20,000 books are printed. Books
become cheaper and are therefore increasingly popular. Literacy become cheaper and are therefore increasingly popular. Literacy
rates rise. rates rise. Printers have to make a choice about which words, Printers have to make a choice about which words,
grammar and spellings to usegrammar and spellings to use. . The choices they make help The choices they make help
to set and spread a to set and spread a standardstandard language. They base their language. They base their
decisions on the dialects of the South East - the most decisions on the dialects of the South East - the most
socially and economically influential region.socially and economically influential region. But these rules But these rules
are not set in stone, and people continue to speak in different are not set in stone, and people continue to speak in different
accents and dialects, and to write with different spellings. Over accents and dialects, and to write with different spellings. Over
the next 200 years wonderful discoveries and innovations are the next 200 years wonderful discoveries and innovations are
made in the fields of art, theatre and science. There is a fresh made in the fields of art, theatre and science. There is a fresh
interest amongst scholars in classical languages, while intrepid interest amongst scholars in classical languages, while intrepid
explorers and opportunistic traders travel to the New World.explorers and opportunistic traders travel to the New World.
New words - New words - With these fresh findings come new words from With these fresh findings come new words from
across the globe (borrowings), including across the globe (borrowings), including atmosphere, explain, atmosphere, explain,
enthusiasm, skeletonenthusiasm, skeleton and and utopianutopian (from Latin); (from Latin); bizarre, bizarre,
chocolate, explore, moustachechocolate, explore, moustache and and voguevogue (from (from
French); French); carnival, macaronicarnival, macaroni and and violinviolin (from Italian) (from Italian) harem, jar, harem, jar,
magazinemagazine and and sherbetsherbet (from Arabic); and (from Arabic); and coffee, yoghurtcoffee, yoghurt and and
kioskkiosk (from Turkish); (from Turkish); tomato, potatotomato, potato and and tobacco tobacco (from Spanish)(from Spanish)

16. 1700s1700s
An age of dictionaries, grammars and rules and An age of dictionaries, grammars and rules and
regulations - regulations - Human knowledge continues to Human knowledge continues to
stretch into new areas, with discoveries in the fields stretch into new areas, with discoveries in the fields
of medicine, astrology, botany & engineering. Many of medicine, astrology, botany & engineering. Many
scholars believe that the English language is scholars believe that the English language is
chaotic, and in desperate need of some firm rules. chaotic, and in desperate need of some firm rules.
Books teaching 'correct' grammar, pronunciation & Books teaching 'correct' grammar, pronunciation &
spelling are increasingly popular. Samuel Johnson spelling are increasingly popular. Samuel Johnson
publishes his famous dictionary in 1755.publishes his famous dictionary in 1755.
Derided words - Derided words - Words hated by Johnson, and Words hated by Johnson, and
omitted from his dictionary, include omitted from his dictionary, include bang, budge, bang, budge,
fuss, gambler, shabby,fuss, gambler, shabby, and and touchy. touchy.

17. Industrial Revolution 1760-Industrial Revolution 1760-
1800s1800s
Transformation of the western worldTransformation of the western world
In an age of inventions and contraptions, of In an age of inventions and contraptions, of
science & industry, of expanding cities & science & industry, of expanding cities &
smog-gurgling factories the language must smog-gurgling factories the language must
swell to accommodate new ideas.swell to accommodate new ideas.
New wordsNew words
Newly coined words include Newly coined words include biology, biology,
taxonomy, caffeine, cityscape, centigrade, taxonomy, caffeine, cityscape, centigrade,
watt, bacterium, watt, bacterium,
chromosome chromosome and and claustrophobia.claustrophobia. In the In the
world of burgeoning capitalism, money can world of burgeoning capitalism, money can
suddenly suddenly slump, inflate, boomslump, inflate, boom and and
cause cause depressions. depressions. Victorian writers pen Victorian writers pen
over 60,000 novels.over 60,000 novels.

18. 1900s - Present Day1900s - Present Day
English of todayEnglish of today
A century of world wars, technological A century of world wars, technological
transformation, and globalisation. The language transformation, and globalisation. The language
continues to grow, expanding to incorporate new continues to grow, expanding to incorporate new
jargons, slangs, technologies, toys, foods and jargons, slangs, technologies, toys, foods and
gadgets.gadgets.
Familiar words Familiar words
It is in this century that we get It is in this century that we get doodlebugs, doodlebugs,
gasmasks, gobstoppers, mini gasmasks, gobstoppers, mini
skirtsskirts and and modsmodsand and rockers;rockers; we enjoy we enjoy dim sum, dim sum,
cappuccino, chicken tikka masalacappuccino, chicken tikka masala and and pizzerias;pizzerias; we we
talk of talk of chavs, mingerschavs, mingers and and weirdosweirdos; and we are ; and we are
addicted to addicted to tellies, websites, tellies, websites,
cybercafescybercafes and and compact discs.compact discs.