1. Old English:
* The language of this period is referred to as Old English, also known as Anglo-Saxon.
* It was heavily influenced by Germanic languages, particularly those brought by the Angles, Saxons, and Jutes who migrated to Britain.
* Vocabulary: Many Old English words were quite different from their modern counterparts. For example, "bread" was "hlāf," "water" was "wæter," and "love" was "lūfu."
* Grammar: Old English grammar was highly inflected, meaning words changed form depending on their function in a sentence. This was much more complex than modern English grammar.
* Syntax: The order of words in a sentence was more flexible than it is today.
2. The Norman Conquest:
* The Norman Conquest of 1066 marked a turning point in the English language.
* The Norman French ruling class brought their own language and culture, which had a profound impact on the spoken and written language of England.
* French Influence: Many French words entered the English vocabulary, enriching the language and making it more complex. Words like "government," "justice," and "beautiful" are all of French origin.
3. A Period of Transition:
* The 11th century was a time of transition for the English language. While Old English was still the dominant language, French words were increasingly being incorporated.
* This led to a period of bilingualism, where people often spoke both languages.
Examples of Old English:
* From the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle:
* "Ðā cōm se cyning Edgar to Lundene, and hine man gecōr to cynge." (Then came King Edgar to London, and he was chosen king.)
* From the poem "The Wanderer":
* "Hwæt, wæs ðū in worulde, wīsfæst wer, / geond fela landa, longe hrīnan?" (Lo, were you in the world, wise man, / across many lands, for long a sojourner?)
In Conclusion:
The English language of the 11th century was a vibrant and evolving language. It was a time of significant change as the influence of Norman French began to shape the English language, leading to the emergence of Middle English in the following centuries.