1. Introduction
I started learning English as my first foreign language at the age of eight, followed by French as the second at the age of eleven. Soon, I recognised similarities of the vocabulary of the two languages, not knowing why, since the grammatical structure and the declension of nouns etc. was obviously different. Of course, I was too young to think it over. However, during my studies of English linguistics I was taught the basic knowledge about the relation between French and English. Since I had learned that most of the words I knew from French were also borrowed into English, I was particularly interested in the process of this phenomenon. Which events and developments were responsible for the adoption of so many words?
The Middle English period was characterised by many changes- both in its social and linguistic situation. In 1066 the Norman Conquest occurred marking the starting point of the most influencing era throughout the history of the English language. After the Conquest there were two main waves of immigration. Firstly, French upper class people migrated to the occupied British Island bringing their language with them, and English lost its status as the official language. Secondly, about two hundred years later, those French people lost their connection to the continent, when king John lost Normandy, and English was about to reinforce again. However, soon new French invasions occurred and a new French variety was brought to the Island which led to an increasing number of new vocabulary and the English language had to be enforced a second time. (Baugh, 1991)
This raises the question why French prevailed in the English language that persistently, although English had been reinforced and had already gained prestige again.
This is the matter of interest in this research paper which is concerned with the history of the English language between 1066 and 1400. Generally, it deals with the French influence on the English language, but focusses especially on the impact of Central French, which took place in the second phase (1250- 1500) where most of the vocabulary was adopted.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- Languages in Contact
- What is Language Contact?
- How do languages come into contact?
- What happens to languages in contact?
- French influence on the English language
- First Contact Situation
- Norman Invasion
- French Aristocracy Background
- Norman French versus English
- Loss of Normandy
- Second Contact Situation
- Re-establishment of English
- Foreign Invasion & Opposition
- Decline of French
- Norman French versus Central French
- Re-establishment of English
- First Contact Situation
- Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This research paper investigates the historical relationship between French and English from 1066 to 1400, focusing specifically on the impact of Central French during the second phase (1250-1500) when a significant amount of vocabulary was adopted. The paper aims to explore the reasons behind the prevalence of French influence in the English language, despite English's efforts to regain its prestige. This paper examines the different types of language contact and analyzes the impact of the Norman Conquest on the English language, particularly the social and linguistic consequences of the French aristocracy’s influence.
- Language contact and its various types
- The influence of French on the English language
- The role of the Norman Conquest and its lasting impact
- The social and linguistic dynamics of language change
- The adoption of vocabulary from Central French
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
- Introduction: This chapter introduces the topic of French influence on the English language and outlines the research question. It sets the stage by exploring the historical context of the Norman Conquest and its implications for the English language.
- Languages in Contact: This chapter delves into the broader concept of language contact, examining its different forms, including immigration, military conquest, and other situations where languages interact. It explores the processes involved in language contact and how languages influence one another.
- French influence on the English language: This chapter focuses specifically on the historical events leading to the French influence on the English language. It examines the impact of the Norman Invasion and the introduction of Norman French as the dominant language in England. The chapter also examines the loss of Normandy and the subsequent introduction of Central French, which had a significant influence on the English vocabulary.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
The research paper explores key concepts such as language contact, historical linguistics, the Norman Conquest, French influence, Central French, vocabulary adoption, social and linguistic dynamics, and the history of the English language.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Lydia Albrecht (Autor:in), 2012, Language Contact in the second phase of the French Influence on Middle English, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/198945
