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Questions and Answers
Who is considered the father of the English language?
Who is considered the father of the English language?
What was the name of the Christian missionary who contributed to the Christianization of Britain and England?
What was the name of the Christian missionary who contributed to the Christianization of Britain and England?
What was the language spoken by the Viking conquerors?
What was the language spoken by the Viking conquerors?
Which of the following was NOT one of the 7 Anglo-Saxon kingdoms?
Which of the following was NOT one of the 7 Anglo-Saxon kingdoms?
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What was the common language that influenced the English language during the Middle English period?
What was the common language that influenced the English language during the Middle English period?
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Which of the following contributed to the destruction of earlier developments in England?
Which of the following contributed to the destruction of earlier developments in England?
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What is the period of the English language during which the Canterbury Tales was written?
What is the period of the English language during which the Canterbury Tales was written?
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What is the name of the man considered the 'father of English grammar'?
What is the name of the man considered the 'father of English grammar'?
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What is the difference between a language and a dialect?
What is the difference between a language and a dialect?
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What is the significance of the year 1066 in the history of the English language?
What is the significance of the year 1066 in the history of the English language?
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What is the term for the study of meaning in language?
What is the term for the study of meaning in language?
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What is the name of the three ethnic groups that spoke the West-Germanic language and established the English identity?
What is the name of the three ethnic groups that spoke the West-Germanic language and established the English identity?
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Study Notes
Early English Language and History
- Geoffrey Chaucer was a writer and poet who is considered the father of the English language.
- Chaucer's English became a global language for communication.
- English language has its roots in Old English, which was spoken by the Anglo-Saxons (5th-11th centuries).
- The Anglo-Saxons were made up of three ethnic groups: Jutes, Angles, and Saxons.
Old English Period (5th-11th centuries)
- This period was characterized by the Heptarchy, which consisted of seven Anglo-Saxon kingdoms.
- The seven kingdoms were: North Umbria, Mercia, East Anglia, Wessex, Essex, Kent, and Sussex.
- King Alfred was a significant figure during this period.
- The Christianization of Britain and England occurred during this period, with the help of Christian missionaries from Rome and England.
- St. Augustine of Hippo and St. Patrick were instrumental in building churches and monasteries.
- The church was the most powerful institution during this period.
Influences on the English Language
- Latin had a significant influence on the English language, making it difficult to distinguish between the two languages.
- The Viking Conquest (8th-11th centuries) introduced the Norse language, which was spoken by seafaring armies from Norway, Sweden, and Denmark.
- The Norse language brought new ideas and products to England.
- The Noise Language, also known as Old Norse, influenced literature in Anglo-Saxon England.
Middle English Period (11th-15th centuries)
- The Norman Conquest of England in 1066 introduced French influence into the English language.
- This period saw the transition from Old English to Middle English.
- The Canterbury Tales, written by Geoffrey Chaucer, is a significant work from this period.
Early Modern English Period (1500s-1700s)
- The revision of the Bible (King James version) occurred during this period.
- William Shakespeare's plays, such as Romeo and Juliet, were written during this period.
Modern English Period (1600s-present)
- Industrialization and modernization characterized this period.
- Verbal communication became more prominent.
- People can create their own language to express themselves.
Grammar and Language
- Lindley Murray, known as the father of English grammar, was born in 1745 and wrote a standard grammar textbook that was used for 50 years in England and the US.
- Language can be classified into different categories, including dialect, semantics, and sign language.
- English is spoken in various forms, including British, American, Canadian, and South African English.
History of the English Language
- The term "England" means "land of the angels" and refers to the area where English is spoken.
- The English language has undergone significant changes over the centuries, with four distinct periods: Old English, Middle English, Early Modern English, and Modern English.
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Description
Test your knowledge of the English language's evolution from the 11th century to the present day, covering influences, key authors, and significant events. Explore the transition from Old to Middle English, and the impact of the Renaissance and Industrialization on the language. Discover how communication and language have shaped English into what it is today.
