Bruce Mitchell (1)Reseñas
Autor de A Guide to Old English
Para otros autores llamados Bruce Mitchell, ver la página de desambiguación.
Reseñas
Este sitio utiliza cookies para ofrecer nuestros servicios, mejorar el rendimiento, análisis y (si no estás registrado) publicidad. Al usar LibraryThing reconoces que has leído y comprendido nuestros términos de servicio y política de privacidad. El uso del sitio y de los servicios está sujeto a estas políticas y términos.
So a quick history lesson.
1st century: Romans came to Britannia and subjugated Celts:
-> Romans left minimal impact on the language and left at end of 4th century CE.
4th-5th century, Roman Empire collapses:
-> Latin becomes exclusive language of priesthood. Commoners stop using it and it dies.
6th century: Saxons invade and exterminated the Celts (Except for Wales/Cornwall):
-> Language of Brittania becomes Saxon
8th century: Vikings started raiding and eventually invade:
-> Major influence of Norse words on English language
11th century Normans (Viking/French tribe) invade:
Upper classes use French until the 15th century, then revert to English. Impact on the language is less than Vikings.
17th Century +: Britain becomes major trading empire:
-> Influence on the language from all corners of the earth - Amerindian, European, African, Indian, and East Asia.
Learning Old English is fine if you like that kind of thing. But there is no justification for learning it over say - ancient Norse. It is a dead language. Let it be so for the majority. Of course, Norman French had a greater major impact on the English language as we know it today, far greater I would argue than influence of Norse words on English. Contrast Chaucer with Beowulf. I can read and more or less understand Chaucer littered with words of French origin but the Anglo Saxon English of Beowulf? Not a chance.