The History of English Language
The history of English Language started with the Normans (originally a Germanic Tribe) who had settled in Normandy in the north of France, and had adopted a modified French language and culture. As a result of the conquest, the refinement of French culture came to be introduced into England exerted a powerful and formative influence on its language and literature.The Norman rulers looked down upon the English as a barbarous and backward people, and despised the rude taste of their language that lacked the elegance and grace of French. Naturally under their rule French had to be the language of the Court and the Government, and those among the conquered people who had dealings with the Government thought it prudent to learn French in addition to their own language. The Conquest also tended to bring the native population together as never before, and the several dialects spoken in the different parts of the country were gradually assimilated to form a common language. English which was basically the Midland dialect, became common among people.
Reference-Richard 'The Study of Words'
This is how we come to a great era of the beautiful literature of this universal language, as it is called now. First of all we have to divide the literature of English into ages-
1. Pre Chaucer Period
2. Chaucer to Shakespeare
3. Jacobean to Restoration Periods
4. Augustan Age : 18th Century Literature
5. Romantic Period
6. Victorian Period
7. Modern Period
8. Contemporary Period
Pre Chaucer Period
Chaucer to Shakespeare
The Period From Chaucer to Shakkespeare may be divided in three parts
- The age of Chaucer
- Post Chaucer period and
- Renaissance period
The Age Of Chaucer
It was the age when the seeds of modern age were being en dropped. Unrest and transition were the common features of this age.Geographical discoveries and the revolt against medical traditions led forward the process of transition which dates back to the second half of the fourteenth century. In the religious world there was a serious outburst of unorthodox. Wycliffe and his followers were making an organised attack upon the Church. In town and country alike, doctrines were being preached which a future age was to familiarize under the name of Protestantism. Nor was the Church only medieval institute attacked. The working classes were stirring and had begun to display a spirit of independence hitherto unknown.. A period of economic discontent is followed by an open revolt-revolt which marks the downfall of manorial system. But there was constructive as well as destructive forces at work. Political and military events were contributing to the growth of a National conciseness, the former in a negative manner by minimizing the extent of Papal influence in his country, the latter, more positively, by stimulating the pride of the English people.
