This work should give a short overview of the Early Modern English Period. It should give an idea how and when this period developed and which were the certain aspects of development.
This will be followed by some examples of changes and developments in linguistics. These examples will be from the areas of phonology, morphology and vocabulary. During this period there were several groups of authors which should be regarded. Which famous and still-known authors were parts of which group?
What was characteristic or special for each group or the period of time when it occurred? This will be followed by a short chapter about William Shakespeare who was an important person at that time and in his works one can also see linguistic changes.
Table of Contents
1 Introduction
2 About the Early Modern English Period
3 The Development of the Early Modern English
3.1 First Development
3.2 Second Development
4 Linguistic Developments
4.1 Phonology
4.2 Morphology
4.3 Vocabulary
5 Groups of authors from the late 16th to the mid 18th century
5.1 The Metaphysical Poets
5.2 Jacobean Drama
5.3 Restoration Drama
5.4 Augustan Age
6 Shakespeare
7 Conclusion
8 References
Objectives and Topics
This academic work provides a comprehensive overview of the Early Modern English period, exploring its historical development, significant linguistic shifts, and key literary figures. The primary objective is to analyze the catalysts of language standardization and the emergence of distinct literary movements during this transformative era.
- The linguistic evolution of English, including the Great Vowel Shift.
- The impact of the printing press and the standardization of English.
- The role of influential literary groups and styles from the 16th to 18th centuries.
- The life and linguistic contributions of William Shakespeare.
- The transition from Early Modern English towards Present-Day English.
Excerpt from the Book
3.2 Second Development
The second development was influenced by the introduction of printing by William Caxton. He was living from 1422-1491 and was a merchant first. Later he was also a writer. (Hickey 2003)
He “learned printing in Cologne and Bruges” (Alexander 2000: 68) and set up the first printing press in England in 1476. He established his base in Westminster and produced more than 90 editions off well-known and also lesser known authors. (Hickey 2003) “By 1500 over 35,000 books had been printed, though most were in Latin. However, by 1640 there were approximately 20,000 titles available in English.” (Fennell 2001: 156) This had an effect on “literacy and the uniformity of the language, most directly on the standardization of spelling, and perhaps indirectly on the differences among dialects.” (Fennell 2001: 156) With these printings a higher percentage of the population became literate. (Fennell 2001: 156)
For his printings he imported paper from Low Countries. (Kastan 2002: 87)
Summary of Chapters
1 Introduction: Provides a brief overview of the Early Modern English period, outlining the intended scope regarding linguistic changes and major literary groups.
2 About the Early Modern English Period: Defines the temporal boundaries and the socio-political context that contributed to the standardization of the English language.
3 The Development of the Early Modern English: Examines the role of London’s linguistic hegemony and the critical influence of the printing press on language development.
4 Linguistic Developments: Details the phonetic and morphological changes, specifically the Great Vowel Shift and alterations in the lexicon.
5 Groups of authors from the late 16th to the mid 18th century: Introduces distinct literary movements, ranging from the Metaphysical Poets to the Augustan Age.
6 Shakespeare: Evaluates the work of William Shakespeare across his four creative phases and his impact on English linguistic usage.
7 Conclusion: Summarizes the lasting influence of the period on literacy and the path toward the structures of Present-Day English.
8 References: Lists the academic sources used to support the analysis of the period.
Keywords
Early Modern English, Great Vowel Shift, William Caxton, Printing Press, Metaphysical Poets, Jacobean Drama, Restoration Drama, Augustan Age, William Shakespeare, Linguistics, Literacy, Morphology, Phonology, Lexicon, Language Standardization
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fundamental focus of this paper?
The paper examines the Early Modern English period, focusing on its historical definition, the linguistic evolution that occurred, and the major literary groups that emerged during this time.
What are the primary themes discussed?
Key themes include the standardization of the English language, the influence of the printing press, the evolution of drama, and the linguistic legacy of authors like William Shakespeare.
What is the main objective of this study?
The objective is to provide a structured overview of the factors—such as technological advancements and social changes—that drove the development of the English language between 1500 and 1800.
What scientific methods were employed?
The author uses historical-linguistic analysis and literature review, synthesizing secondary sources and academic research to trace developments in phonology, morphology, and literary history.
What content is covered in the main section?
The main section covers the "First and Second Developments" (standardization), specific linguistic changes (phonology, morphology, vocabulary), and an exploration of literary movements like the Metaphysical Poets and the Augustan Age.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
The work is characterized by terms such as Early Modern English, Great Vowel Shift, printing press, literary movements, and linguistic standardization.
How did the introduction of printing impact the English language?
The introduction of printing by William Caxton led to increased literacy, the standardization of spelling, and a more uniform language across different English dialects.
What specific linguistic observations are mentioned regarding Shakespeare?
The paper highlights that Shakespeare’s work reflects contemporary usage, including specific phonetic characteristics like post-vocalic /r/ pronunciation and the usage of specific diphthongs that differ from modern English.
- Quote paper
- Kathrin Brandt (Author), 2006, The Early Modern English Period, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/61918
