Algeo's Origins and Development of the English Language - Research - Part Three

At the end of the Old English period, the Normans invaded England and conquered it. This invasion subjected the English language and culture to change with the new Norman influence on the area. Three languages existed in the area at the time: English, Latin, and Norman French. The English culture changed in congruence with the French culture at the time because of this reason. Latin also influenced English vocabulary since it was the language of the church. A large amount of Middle English's language was derived from the upper-class French and Latin influences. Doubled letters were also a center-point of the language, and these have survived to our day, but are no longer one letter as a whole and no longer represent the same sound. EE became written as EA, and IE and EI remained as they were. Long U was replaced by OU, which is of French origin. Different dialects rose depending on the area the language was spoken in: North, Midland, West and East Midland, and Southern. Northern, Midland and West Midland kept many characteristics of Old English, and East Midland and Southern influenced each other greatly.


Notice: The Family Interactions Unit will begin at the start of Fourth Quarter. Algeo's Origins will still continue during this time, however.