The target of this thesis is to demonstrate that English is – apart from its Germanic roots – a highly Romanized language, especially as far as the level of terminology is concerned. It is shown in which manner and how far the Romance languages have contributed to the present state of the English language. So, the question as to which vocabulary was adopted at what time, why, and from what language is addressed in particular. In addition, possible uncertainties or diversities of author opinions according to loan etymologies are discovered, compared and discussed.
Table of Contents
1 INTRODUCTION
2 LATIN LOANS
2.1 OLDER LATIN LOANS
2.1.1 Roman and Germanic occupation
2.1.2 Christianization
2.2 THE ‛AUREATE TERMS’
2.3 18TH CENTURY LOANS – WORDS OF INNOVATION AND DISCOVERY
2.4 THE ORIGIN OF THE CALENDAR TERMINOLOGY
3 FRENCH LOANS
3.1 PRE-CONQUEST FRENCH LOANS
3.2 THE NORMAN CONQUEST AND ITS LINGUISTIC CONSEQUENCES
4 THE INKHORN CONTROVERSY
4.1 HARD WORDS IN ENGLISH: A LINGUISTIC AND SOCIAL PROBLEM?
4.1.1 Genteelisms for social differentiation
5 BORROWING PROCESSES
5.1 PRONUNCIATION OF LATIN WORDS IN ENGLISH
5.2 REASONS FOR BORROWING
6 OTHER ROMANCE LOANS
6.1 ITALIAN LOANS
6.2 SPANISH LOANS
6.3 PORTUGUESE LOANS
7 CONCLUSION
Objectives & Core Topics
This thesis examines the evolution of English as a highly Romanized language, analyzing the diachronic influx of Latin and Romance vocabulary, the social consequences of borrowing, and the resulting linguistic developments in the English lexicon.
- The influence of Latin and Greek on Old English vocabulary and concepts.
- The role of French borrowings during and after the Norman Conquest.
- The Inkhorn Controversy as a reaction to stylistic borrowing in the Renaissance.
- Methods of assimilation, including calques and morphological adaptations.
- The impact of Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese on English lexical expansion.
Excerpt from the Book
The Inkhorn Controversy
A word ‘jungle’ existed and led to the production of many dictionaries in the Renaissance. The introduction of the printing technology by William Caxton in 1474 favoured the spread of literature and intellectual movement which was the consequence of the influence of European Humanism and the Reformation. Therefore, enormous interest in education and translation followed, especially in the fields of theology, philosophy, medicine and linguistics (cf. Hanowell (1980): 97). Further, also the admiration of the classical Latin authors led to the immense adoption of Latinisms. English authors tried to achieve linguistically the same as their shining models by using Latin loan words (cf. Moessner (2003): 37). Many classical texts were translated into English. Consequently, they were available both in the mother-tongue and also in their original language. In the latter case, many words were not translated but merely taken over from Latin because of style. Many scholars were of the opinion that English “was a language fit for the street, but not for the library” (Crystal (1995): 60). In addition, “there were many translations of classical works during the 16th century, and thousands of Latin and Greek terms were introduced” because of the lack of an English equivalent (Crystal (1995): 60). Among the admired Classical poets were Caesar and Ovid, Horace, Virgil, Terence, Livy, Tacitus and Sallust. But most exemplary has been Cicero, admiration of whom led to the famous ‘Ciceronianism’ (cf. Scheler (1977): 42). Latin terms have also began to play a role in descriptive linguistics when the attempt was made to explain the English language in Latin. In consequence, the borrowing enthusiasm was criticized more and more by English language defenders.
Chapter Summaries
1 INTRODUCTION: Outlines the scope of the thesis, establishing English as a highly Romanized language despite its Germanic roots and introducing the process of lexical borrowing.
2 LATIN LOANS: Analyzes the significant historical impact of Latin on English, divided into distinct chronological periods including Roman occupation, Christianization, and the Renaissance.
3 FRENCH LOANS: Investigates the massive French influx following the Norman Conquest and its long-term effects on the English lexicon and social structure.
4 THE INKHORN CONTROVERSY: Discusses the Renaissance-era debates between neologizers and purists regarding the adoption of foreign terms, which became known as 'inkhorn' terms.
5 BORROWING PROCESSES: Systematically details the linguistic methods used for assimilation, such as anglicization, francicization, and the reasons behind lexical borrowing.
6 OTHER ROMANCE LOANS: Examines the influence of Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese, which played a subordinated but significant role in enriching specific fields like arts, trade, and culture.
7 CONCLUSION: Summarizes the linguistic state of modern English, confirming it as a fusion of Germanic and Romance elements with unique flexibility and synonym richness.
Keywords
Romance languages, English linguistics, etymology, loan words, borrowing processes, Latinisms, Norman Conquest, Inkhorn Controversy, assimilation, lexical expansion, Germanic roots, diachronic linguistics, social differentiation, Renaissance, vocabulary enrichment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this thesis?
The work explores how English, while fundamentally a Germanic language, has been heavily transformed through centuries of contact with Latin and Romance languages, particularly in its lexicon.
What are the main thematic fields covered?
The thesis covers historical linguistics, specifically etymological developments, the socio-political context of language contact, and the stylistic evolution of the English vocabulary.
What is the central research question?
The research investigates which foreign vocabulary was adopted, at what time, and for what reasons, while also addressing the consequences of this borrowing, such as the Inkhorn Controversy.
Which scientific methods are utilized?
The work employs a diachronic approach to linguistic analysis, utilizing etymological dictionaries and historical records to categorize and trace the origin of loan words.
What topics are discussed in the main body?
The main body examines Latin and French influence, the Inkhorn Controversy, specific borrowing processes, and the later impact of Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese terms.
Which keywords best characterize the work?
Key terms include linguistic evolution, Romance influence, etymology, loan words, assimilation, and lexicography.
How did the Inkhorn Controversy influence English style?
It acted as a backlash against the rapid adoption of "dark" Latinate terms, forcing a debate between those who sought to expand the language through foreign enrichment and those who pushed for pure English.
What is the distinction between 'recipient' and 'donor' languages?
The author characterizes English as a 'recipient' language, one that is highly flexible and borrows from many sources, unlike languages that use institutes to filter or purify their lexicon.
How did the Norman Conquest change the English language?
The Conquest made French the language of the ruling classes, leading to an immense influx of French vocabulary into English, which fundamentally shifted its lexical composition.
Why are Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese less influential than Latin or French?
While influential in specific domains like arts and trade, their impact is quantitatively smaller because they did not have the same long-term administrative or religious status as Latin or French.
- Quote paper
- Nadine Waamelink (Author), 2007, Romance loans in English, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/80996
