Old English
Old English, also known as Anglo-Saxon, is the earliest historical form of the English language, spoken from the mid-5th to the mid-12th century in parts of what is now England and southern Scotland. Here's an in-depth look:
History
- Origins: Old English evolved from the dialects spoken by Germanic tribes, specifically the Angles, Saxons, and Jutes, who migrated to Britain after the collapse of the Roman Britain administration in the 5th century.
- Development: Over time, these dialects mixed with the existing Celtic languages of the Britons and later with Latin due to the Christianization of England, and Old Norse from Viking invasions, leading to a rich linguistic blend.
- Periodization: The Old English period is generally considered to extend from about 450 AD to the late 11th century, when the Norman Conquest introduced significant French influence, leading to Middle English.
Characteristics
- Grammar: Old English was an inflected language with four cases: nominative, accusative, genitive, and dative. It had three genders: masculine, feminine, and neuter.
- Vocabulary: The vocabulary was largely Germanic but absorbed words from Latin, especially for religious and scholarly terms, and later from Old Norse due to Viking influence.
- Phonology: Old English had a more complex phonological system than Modern English, with sounds like the thorn (þ) and the eth (ð), which are no longer used in standard English.
Literature
Old English literature includes epic poems, riddles, religious works, and legal documents:
Dialects
Old English had several dialects:
- Northumbrian: Spoken in the north, it was less documented but influenced by Old Norse due to Viking settlements.
- Mercian: Used in the midlands, it was the dialect of the powerful kingdom of Mercia.
- West Saxon: The most prestigious dialect, especially after King Alfred the Great promoted its use, became the standard written form.
- Kentish: Spoken in the southeast, it had distinct features due to earlier Jutish influence.
Decline and Influence
After the Norman Conquest, Old English gradually transformed into Middle English due to:
- The influence of Norman French on the English language, especially in vocabulary and grammar.
- The loss of inflectional endings, simplification of grammar, and the shift towards a more analytic language structure.
External Links
Related Topics