It intrigues me that the change from Middle to Modern English was so sudden. Unlike Old to Middle, which was a long period over many years after Latin, French, and German influences changed the language; Middle to Modern was very sudden after many political changes, the prominent reason being a shift in power. The power went from being in possession of the Church and into the hands of the King. However, Queen Elizabeth also helped the language change because of her innovative ruling period.
The big change from Middle to Modern, besides new Shakespearean words becoming popularized at the end of the Middle English period, was new sounds and new usage for letters that were introduced. The language of the first period of Modern English greatly reflects our own language, but does not fit it to a T. Some of the characteristics we understand from Middle English history changed to reflect our modern dialect today, such as the Y in the becoming a TH. Also, the consonant/vowel shift of I/J and U/V changed the language to be more similar today's dialect.
Overall, the period of change that was the first period of Modern English is very fascinating. Also, the second half of Modern English that I still have yet to explore intrigues me as well. What other changes separated Modern I from Modern II?
No comments:
Post a Comment