Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is one of the ways Old English can be defined historically?
Which branch of languages does Old English genetically belong to?
Who were the earliest inhabitants of the British Isles that had a language whose linguistic remnants are still known?
What did the Celtic speakers bring with them when they migrated to the British Isles?
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Which language became the prestige language of administration, education, and social life in the British Isles?
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What is the origin of the name 'Avon' for three rivers in England?
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Which Germanic tribe settled in the north of England and established a kingdom around 547 A.D.?
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Which of the following was NOT one of the major dialects that emerged with the development of Old English?
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Where were the earliest written records in Old English found?
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Who is credited as perhaps the first known poet in the English language?
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Study Notes
Old English Overview
- Defined historically as the earliest form of the English language, used in England from approximately the 5th to the 12th centuries.
- Genetically belongs to the West Germanic branch of the Germanic family of languages.
Early Inhabitants and Celtic Influence
- Earliest inhabitants of the British Isles spoke languages from Celtic tribes; remnants of their languages can still be identified today.
- Celtic speakers introduced their languages and cultural practices when migrating to the British Isles.
Language Prestige in Britain
- Latin became the prestige language of administration, education, and social life, largely due to Roman influence.
Geographic and Historical Linguistics
- The name 'Avon' for three rivers in England originates from the Celtic word for "river."
- The Angles, a Germanic tribe, settled in the north of England and established the kingdom of Northumbria around 547 A.D.
Major Dialects and Written Records
- Not all major dialects of Old English emerged; the dialects include West Saxon, Mercian, Northumbrian, and Kentish, but the specific dialect that was NOT a major one is unspecified.
- The earliest written records in Old English have been found in inscriptions and texts from the 7th century.
Poetic Heritage
- Caedmon is credited as perhaps the first known poet in the English language, recognized for his biblical verse composition in Old English.
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Description
Learn about the language known as Old English, including its historical context, geographical origins, and genetic relation to other languages. Explore how Old English evolved from the Germanic settlement to the Norman Conquest in 1066.
