Middle English

Definition

Middle English refers to the stage of the English language that was spoken and written in England roughly from the late 11th century to the late 15th century. This period marks significant linguistic changes, influenced by Norman French and Latin, leading to a richer vocabulary and notable shifts in grammar and pronunciation.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Middle English emerged after the Norman Conquest in 1066, which introduced a significant amount of Norman French vocabulary into English.
2. During this period, English began to shift from a synthetic language, relying heavily on inflectional endings, to a more analytic language structure with fixed word order.
3. Many regional dialects developed during Middle English, influenced by local languages and cultures, making it a diverse linguistic period.
4. The use of Latin remained prominent in religious and scholarly texts, while Middle English became more common in literature and everyday communication.
5. By the end of the Middle English period, major works like 'The Canterbury Tales' helped solidify the use of vernacular English in literature, paving the way for its rise in subsequent periods.

Review Questions

• What were some key influences on the development of Middle English following the Norman Conquest?
  • Following the Norman Conquest in 1066, Middle English underwent significant changes primarily due to the influx of Norman French vocabulary and cultural influences. This interaction led to an expansion of vocabulary in areas such as law, art, and government. The infusion of French also impacted grammatical structures, leading to a gradual shift away from Old English’s complex inflectional system.
• How did Middle English differ from Old English in terms of grammar and vocabulary?
  • Middle English represented a departure from Old English’s heavily inflected grammatical structure towards a more simplified system. While Old English relied on inflections for case endings and tense markers, Middle English began emphasizing word order and auxiliary verbs. Additionally, there was a notable increase in vocabulary derived from Norman French, enriching the language with new terms related to governance, culture, and daily life.
• Evaluate the impact of Geoffrey Chaucer's works on the status of Middle English as a literary language during its period.
  • Geoffrey Chaucer's works had a profound impact on the status of Middle English by showcasing its literary potential at a time when Latin and French dominated educated discourse. Through 'The Canterbury Tales', Chaucer elevated vernacular literature by using Middle English to explore social themes and character diversity. His successful use of everyday language helped legitimize Middle English as a medium for serious literature, influencing subsequent writers to adopt it for their own works and contributing to its eventual standardization.

Related terms

Old English: The earliest form of the English language, spoken in England from approximately the 5th to the 11th century, characterized by a complex system of inflections and a largely Germanic vocabulary.

Early Modern English: The stage of the English language that followed Middle English, occurring from the late 15th century to the early 17th century, marked by further standardization of grammar and an expansion of vocabulary due to Renaissance influences.

Chaucer: Geoffrey Chaucer was a prominent poet of the Middle English period, best known for 'The Canterbury Tales', which reflects the vernacular language and social contexts of his time.