The English Language in the Middle English Period

Seminar paper from the year 2012 in the subject Didactics - English - Pedagogy, Literature Studies, , course: English Language Program, language: English, abstract: During the Middle English Period, the English language was subjected to the most profound transformations in the course of its history. This was a period of great historical events which influenced directly and deeply in the development of the language. The objective of this study is to illustrate the extent and characteristics of these transformations. It will be demonstrated the quantitative and qualitative changes undergone by the English language due to the Scandinavian and French borrowings incorporated to it during this period. Also, the dramatic changes in its grammar, morphology and syntax will be summarized in this paper, as well as to deepen the knowledge of the similarities and peculiarities of the dialects spoken in England during this period. Finally, it will be analyzed the social and economic situation of England during the Late Middle English Period which created the necessity and the conditions for the rising of a standard national language.