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Questions and Answers
What is English literature?
What is English literature?
Literature written in the English language from the English-speaking world.
What are the earliest forms of English called?
What are the earliest forms of English called?
Old English, a set of Anglo-Frisian dialects brought to Great Britain by Anglo-Saxon invaders in the fifth century.
Who is the author of The Canterbury Tales?
Who is the author of The Canterbury Tales?
Geoffrey Chaucer (1343–1400)
What significant event influenced the English language after the Norman conquest of England in 1066?
What significant event influenced the English language after the Norman conquest of England in 1066?
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What invention helped to standardize the English language?
What invention helped to standardize the English language?
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Study Notes
What is English Literature?
- English literature refers to literature written in the English language, including poetry, drama, fiction, and nonfiction, produced in England and other English-speaking countries.
Early Forms of English
- The earliest forms of English are called Old English (c. 450-1100) and Middle English (c. 1100-1500), which evolved from Germanic dialects brought by Anglo-Saxon settlers.
- Old English, also known as Anglo-Saxon, was the earliest form of the English language, used from the 5th to the 11th centuries.
Author of The Canterbury Tales
- Geoffrey Chaucer is the author of The Canterbury Tales, a collection of stories written in Middle English, considered one of the greatest works of English literature.
Influence of the Norman Conquest on the English Language
- The Norman Conquest of England in 1066 significantly influenced the English language, as it introduced French vocabulary and Latin influences into the English language.
Standardization of the English Language
- The invention of the printing press (c. 1476) helped to standardize the English language, as it allowed for mass production of books and promoted consistency in spelling, grammar, and vocabulary.
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Description
Test your knowledge of the history of English literature, from its earliest forms to modern works. Learn about the development of the English language and its impact on literature.
