History of English PDF

1 THE SUBJECT OF HISTORY OF ENGLISH. IT’S AIMS AND TASKS. SYNCHRONIC AND DIACHRONIC ASPECTS. Rastorgueva T.A. History of English p 10 (Параграф 1, абзац 1-2) THE SUBJECT OF HISTORY OF ENGLISH IT’S AIMS AND TASKS. (P 10-12) AIMS 1) to provide the student with a knowledge of linguistic history suffi...

1 THE SUBJECT OF HISTORY OF ENGLISH. IT’S AIMS AND TASKS. SYNCHRONIC AND DIACHRONIC ASPECTS. Rastorgueva T.A. History of English p 10 (Параграф 1, абзац 1-2) THE SUBJECT OF HISTORY OF ENGLISH IT’S AIMS AND TASKS. (P 10-12) AIMS 1) to provide the student with a knowledge of linguistic history sufficient to account for the principal features of present-day English; 2) to provide the student of English with a wider philogical outlook TASKS. 1) the difficulties of reading and spelling English; 2) the vocabulary; 3) the grammar; 4) theoretical nature SYNCHRONIC AND DIACHRONIC ASPECTS.( стр 10, абзац 2) The synchronic approach can be contrasted to the diachronic. When considered diachronically; every linguistic fact is interpreted as a stage or step in the never-ending evolution of language. In practice, however, the contrast of between diachronic and synchronic study is not so marked theory: we commonly resort to history to explain current phenomena in Mod E. Likewise in describing the evolution of language we can present it as a series of synchronic cross-sections, e.g. the English language of the age of Shakespeare (16th- 17th c.) or the age of Chaucer (14th c.). 2. Early English Historical Background The history of the English language is deeply rooted in the complex tapestry of Britain’s past, influenced by various cultures and languages over millennia. This overview will focus on two significant periods: Pre-Germanic Britain and the Period of Romanization. 1 Pre-Germanic Britain Before the arrival of Germanic tribes, the British Isles were inhabited for tens of thousands of years. Archaeological evidence suggests that early inhabitants included groups of hunters, gatherers, and later, agricultural communities. Celtic Tribes: The most notable early inhabitants were the Celts, who arrived in multiple waves around 1,000 B.C.E. They formed a tribal society characterized by kinship groups and clans. The Celts practiced agriculture and engaged in trade with neighboring regions, particularly with Celtic Gaul Cultural Practices: The Celts left behind significant archaeological sites, including burial mounds and stone structures like Stonehenge. Their society was organized around tribal affiliations and was rich in oral traditions, which would later influence the linguistic landscape of Britain Linguistic Landscape: By the time Germanic tribes began to invade in the 5th century C.E., the Celtic languages were predominant in Britain. These languages would later coexist with and influence the emerging English language following the Germanic invasions 2 The Period of Romanization The Roman conquest of Britain began in 43 C.E. under Emperor Claudius and lasted until approximately 410 C.E. This period marked a significant transformation in British society, culture, and language. Roman Conquest: The Romans invaded primarily for economic reasons, seeking resources like tin and to establish strategic control over the region. They established Britannia as a province of the Roman Empire, leading to extensive urbanization and infrastructure development, including roads that facilitated trade and military movement Cultural Integration: The Roman presence introduced Latin as a dominant language among the elite and in administration. While many Britons continued to speak their native Celtic languages, Latin began to influence local dialects. This interaction created a hybrid culture known as Romano-British culture, which blended Roman customs with those of the indigenous Celtic peoples Withdrawal and Aftermath: The withdrawal of Roman legions around 410 C.E. left a power vacuum that led to increased invasions by Germanic tribes (Angles, Saxons, and Jutes). This shift initiated a new phase in British history where the remnants of Roman civilization began to decline, giving way to a more fragmented society dominated by these new settlers 3 The interplay between these two periods—Pre-Germanic Britain’s Celtic roots and the transformative Roman influence—set the stage for the emergence of Old English as Germanic tribes settled in Britain and began to establish their language amidst a backdrop of cultural change. 3. Chronological division of the history of the English language. The main periods in the development of English. There are 2 types of periodization of English language: 1. Linguistic 2. Extralinguistic Linguistic periodization was suggested by Henry Sweet – the author of the first scientific phonetic and grammar of English language. He called the OE period – period of full endings; ME – period of reduced endings; NE – period of lost endings. Extralinguistic periodization is based on the historical enents which influenced English language, divided into 3 periods: 1) Old English period (Anglo-Saxons): the 5th century – the 11th century. 2) Middle English: the 11th – the 15th century. 3) New English is subdivided into 2 periods: a) Early New English (15th – 17th centuries) b) Late New English (17th century – present time)  The OE period extends from the arrival of Germanic tribes in Britain in the second half of 5th century to the end of 11th century. The invaders dominated the orig- inal Celtic-speaking inhabitants, whose languages survived largely in Scotland, Wales, and Cornwall. The dialects spoken by invaders formed what is now called Old English. In the north-east the Vikings were settled; they spoke the North Germanic language – Norse. A huge number of settlers spoke languages from different branches of the Germanic family. The OE period ended with the Norman Conquest. The ME period. In 1066 William the Conqueror, duke of Normandy, invaded and conquered England. The Norman kings and the high nobility spoke only a variety of French called Anglo-Norman. English continued to be the language of common people. The Anglo-Saxon continued to be until AD 1154, most other literature from this period was in Old-French or Latin. Among the changes was a broadening in the use of a unique aspect of English grammar, the “continuous” tenses, with the suffix “-ing”. The earliest sign of official recognition of English be the Normans was a proclamation issue of Henry III in 1258 to the councilors in parliament. It was written in French, Latin and English. The NE period From the late 15th century, the language changes into New English, often dated from the Great Vowel Shift. London-based dialect began to become widespread, a process aided by the introduction of the printing press into England by William Cax- ton in the late 1470s. The beginning of Late NE is generally accepted by the time of Shakespeare’s writings (1592-1616). The language had become clearly recognizable in NE. The English vocabulary today contains 75% of French words, because for more that 3 centuries England had been under the Norman Rule. Synchronic and diachronic aspects. The history pf English is based on 2 approaches: synchronic and diachronic. Synchronic is a study of some phenomena in one epoch only. This approach was used by scholars of the prescientific period of the devel- opment of linguistics (before the 19th century) for applied purposes. They view the language as stable, unchangeable system. (Horizontal study) Diachronic approach – with its help some phenomena is studied in two epochs at least. In the first decade of the 19th century linguists viewed that the language is changing, unstable system that is developing at time. (Vertical study)  There is the distinct connection between the History of the language and the History of people speaking it. Its changes are caused both by inter- nal/linguistic/introlinguistic and by external/extralinguistic. In the other words changes in language depend on both inner causes and outer causes. 4. Old English written records provide a fascinating glimpse into the linguistic and cultural development of early medieval England. This essay will explore three key aspects of these records: runic inscriptions, Old English manuscripts, and the dramatic tribes and dialects that shaped the language. Drawing from "Teachers and Students Guide to the History of English" by Цатуря н, we will examine how these elements contribute to our understanding of Old English. 1. Runic Inscriptions Origins and Significance Runic inscriptions represent the earliest form of written communication in what is now England. The term "rune" derives from a word meaning "secret" or "mystery," reflecting the magical connotations associated with these symbols. The runic alphabet, known as futhark, was used by Germanic tribes long before their migration to Britain, with evidence of its use found in Scandinavia. This alphabet consists of characters that represent individual sounds, allowing for phonetic expression in writing. Characteristics of Runes Runes were primarily inscribed on hard materials such as stone, bone, or wood, which influenced their angular shapes. The number of runes varied across different Germanic languages; in Britain, it expanded to include 28 to 33 characters, compared to 16 or 24 found on the continent. Runes were typically employed for short inscriptions, often conveying personal names, place names, or messages believed to possess magical properties. Notable Inscriptions Among the most significant runic inscriptions are the Franks Casket and the Ruthwell Cross. The Franks Casket features intricate carvings and inscriptions in both runes and Latin, showcasing a blend of cultural influences. It is believed to date back to the early 8th century and serves as a testament to the artistic and linguistic practices of the time. The Ruthwell Cross, another important artifact, contains verses from a poem that reflects Christian themes intertwined with pagan traditions 2. Old English Manuscripts Development of Written Language As Christianity spread throughout England in the 7th century, Latin became the dominant language of learning and writing. Monasteries emerged as centers of education where monks played a crucial role in preserving and producing texts. Initially, English scribes adapted the Latin alphabet to accommodate Old English sounds, leading to modifications in letter shapes and the introduction of new symbols.