The English Language - A Historical Introduction

The English Language - A Historical Introduction is written by Charles Barber who is the Former Reader in English language and literature School of English, University of Leeds. Thus he is one of authorities to write something about English. He told us what language is, what is underneath the mechanism of change in languages and dialects, what are the Indo-European languages, the relationship among these members.

Of course, Charles focused more on the Germanic languages which cover German, Sweden, Norway, Danmark, English and even Netherlands. In Old English Period (AD 410 - 730), there were a few main dialect areas, such as West Saxon, Kentish, Mercian and Northumbrian. At that period, Celtic words were not common. Oh, West Saxon, then where is the East one? It is the name of a Germanic tribe in Northern Germany. Many Germanic immigrants stayed in England. Thus they had great influence in English language.

Afterward, Norsemen and Normans arrived and conquered plenty of lands, from Nothumbria, Danish Mercia to East Anglia. Even though them retreated, they left their words. Gate (gata) in York means street. Some Scandinavian words like skirt, scrub, awe, take (taka).

In the Middle English, French was a higher class language. Not only the loan-words were imported but also the existing pronunciation was changed. French words are chancellor, council, country, crown, government, nation, parliament, people, state; abbey, clergy, friar, parish, prayer, relic, religion, saint, saviour, sermon, service, virgin, armour, battle, castle, tower, war, apparel, costume, dress, fashion, art, beauty, colour, column, music, paint, poem, and romance.

You can see that it is so interesting to find out the origin of words and even grammar. It is a great book to read and explore.