10 Questions
What is the reason why English words for food have French origins?
The French cuisine was superior to the English cuisine
What is the term for the formation of words with different meanings due to borrowing from different French dialects?
Doublets
What is the result of adding English prefixes to French words?
Formation of hybrid words
What aspect of English language has been most influenced by French?
Vocabulary related to sophistication and refinement
What is the result of adding French suffixes to English words?
Formation of hybrid words
What was the main cause of French influence on the English language?
The French invasion of England in 1066
Which of the following words related to government and administration is NOT of French origin?
King
What was the area where French influence was most pronounced in the English language?
Government and administration
What was the original language of the word 'religion'?
Latin
Which of the following words related to law is of Scandinavian origin?
None of the above
Study Notes
French Influence on the English Language
- The Norman Conquest of 1066 led to French becoming the language of the English court, parliament, church, and educational institutions.
- French influence on English vocabulary was significant, especially in government and administration:
- Words related to governance: crown, state, government, govern, reign, realm, sovereign, country, minister, council, authority, and parliament.
- Words related to feudal system: fief, feudal, vassel, Liege.
- Words related to nobility: prince, peer, duke, duchess, viscount, baron.
Legal and Religious Influences
- French influence extended to legal and religious domains:
- Words related to law and justice: justice, just, judge, jury, court, defendant, plea, traitor, injury.
- Words related to religion: religion, theology, service, sermon, baptism, prayer, preach, altar, angel.
Culinary and Leisure Influences
- French influence on English cuisine:
- Words related to food: beef, veal, mutton, venison, sauce, boil, fry, toast, roast, soup, jelly, pastry.
- French refinement and elegance influenced English words related to leisure:
- Words related to pleasure and comfort: joy, pleasure, delight, ease, comfort.
- Words related to fine arts: art, beauty, ornament, colour, pillar.
- Words related to games and sports: sport, chase, falcon, scent, cards, chess.
Linguistic Phenomena
- The phenomenon of doublets arose from borrowing French words in different ages:
- Examples: catch vs. chase, warden vs. guardian, launch vs. lance, chief vs. chef, route vs. rout, wage vs. gage.
- Hybridism occurred through the combination of English and French elements:
- Examples: adding English prefixes to French words (around, because, forefront, outreach, overpower, unable).
- Examples: adding English suffixes to French words (serving, gentleness, courtly, beautiful, falsehood, courtship).
- Examples: adding French prefixes to English words (embolden, mistake, demi-god).
- Examples: adding French suffixes to English words (shepherdess, breakage, endearment, bearable, murderous).
Explore how French cuisine influenced English food terminology, with examples from Ivanhoe and common food words borrowed from French.
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