(完整版)英语的发展史(中英文版)
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英语发展史The development of English language can be broadly categorized into three major stages: Old English, Middle English, and Modern English. Each stage represents a significant transformation in the grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation of the language.The first stage of English language development is Old English, which began around the 5th century AD and lasted until the 11th century. During this period, English was heavily influenced by Germanic languages and was spoken by Germanic tribes who had settled in what is now known as England. Old English was characterized by complex inflections and a relatively simple vocabulary. Some of the most notable works of literature from this era include Beowulf and the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle.The second stage of English language development is Middle English, which lasted from the 11th century until the late 15th century. During this period, the English language was influenced by French due to the Norman Conquest of 1066. Middle English saw the introduction of many new words into the language, particularly in areas such as law, government, and religion. The grammar of Middle English was also simplified, and the inflections of Old English were gradually replaced by a more analytic system. Some of the most well-known works of literature from this era include Chaucer's Canterbury Tales and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.The third and final stage of English language development is Modern English, which began in the late 15th century and continues to the present day. Modern English is characterized by a significantly simplified grammar compared to its predecessors, with fewer inflections and a more fixed word order. This simplification was partly due to the influence of Latin and other European languages. Modern English also saw the introduction of many new words from other languages, particularly during the Renaissance and Industrial Revolution. This has led to a much larger vocabulary than earlier stages of the language. Notable works of literature from this era include Shakespeare's plays and the works of Jane Austen.In conclusion, the development of English language can be divided into three major stages: Old English, Middle English, and Modern English. Each stage was characterized by significant changes in the language's grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation. From its Germanic roots to its current status as a global language, English has undergone many transformations throughout its history, and it will undoubtedly continue to evolve in the future.。
英语发展简史在罗马人入侵英格兰之前,来自欧洲地区的凯尔特人(Celts:属于今天苏格兰,爱尔兰人和威尔士人的祖先)已经在英伦列岛居住多年。
罗马人自公元前55年代开始,发动对英格兰的入侵,但直到公元43年才完全征服英格兰,自罗马人入侵到公元410年撤出英格兰,罗马人已经在英格兰盘居长达四百年之久。
在罗马人离开后,来自欧洲西日耳曼部落'Angelen'地区的盎格鲁人(Angles)、其它部落的撒克逊人(Saxon)、朱特人(Jutes)和弗里斯兰人(Frisian)开始跨海西迁进入英格兰地区(英语中的'English'就是出自古词'englisc','englise'中的'Engle'表示'theAngles',即是'盎格鲁人'的意思),并与当地的凯尔特人(Celts)为争寻土地发生了长期的战争,经历几代后也续渐在英格兰各处定居下来。
凯尔特人(Celts)的国王Arthur在Celts与日耳曼人之间长久的战争中,虽然曾一度与日耳曼停战,但最终凯尔特人还是不敌日耳曼人而被驱赶到今天的爱尔兰、威尔士和马恩(Man)岛地区,日耳曼人称威尔士地区的Celts为'wealas'意即外国人,'Welsh'和'Wales'亦因此而得名。
英语作为最初期日耳曼人使用的语言,自从在英伦半岛生根成长到今天,整个语言的演进基本上可以划分为以下4个时期:1.Pre-oldEnglish.前古英语时期(从日耳曼人入侵开始至公元500年罗马人撤出英格兰)2.OldEnglish.古英语时期(公元500-1100)3.MiddleEnglish.中古英语时期(公元1100-1500)4.ModernEnglish.现代英语时期(公元1500-现在)古英语时期在前古英语时期,表记文字只有凯尔特人和日耳曼人受罗马字母影响而产生的RUNES字母。
英语发展史,讲述英语的形成与发展历史及English,England的来历关键词:英语发展史,英语的形成,英语的发展历史来源:西北大学 | 发布日期:2008-08-05 11:24英语是当今世界上最被广泛使用的第二语言,也是最为重要的国际语言,全球有超过3亿人使用英语作为他们的本族语。
在中国,英语教育也正进行得如火如荼,许多来自英美的外教在这里从事教学工作。
1.英语发展史:英语的形成和统一英语发展史可以追溯到公元前500年左右。
在大不列颠岛(Great Britain)上史料记载的最早的语言是公元前500年左右的凯尔特语(Celtic)。
公元前55年,罗马人入侵大不列颠,并一直占领了大约500多年,拉丁语进入了该地区,并成为官方语言,凯尔特语的地位下降。
约公元449年,居住于丹麦与德国北部的3个日耳曼人部族趁罗马帝国衰落入侵到大不列颠岛上。
他们分别是盎格鲁人(Angles,入侵日德兰半岛中部)、萨克逊人(Saxons,入侵日德兰半岛南部)和朱特人(Jutes,入侵日德兰半岛北部)。
在语言上,他们取代了当时该地所使用的凯尔特语。
这三个日耳曼部族方言随着社会发展,逐渐融合为一种新的语言,即盎格鲁一萨克逊语(Anglo-Saxon),这就是后来形成的英语的基础。
到公元700年,人们把大不列颠岛上三部族混合形成的语言称为Englisc。
到公元1000年,岛上整个国家被称作Englaland。
这两个词后来就演变成English(英语)和England (英格兰或英国)这就是English和England两个词的历史由来。
8世纪末,丹麦人大批入侵英国,在其东北部建立丹麦区,持续了近300年,当时所带来的斯堪的那维亚语对英语的发展有很大影响。
公元1066年,法国的诺曼蒂公爵侵人英国,并加冕为英国国王,建立了诺曼蒂王朝,一直延续到1154年。
在诺曼蒂王朝统治期间,英国实际上存在着三种语言,法语是官方语言;拉丁语是宗教语言,用于阅读圣经、教堂宗教活动;英语则是下层社会劳动者用的世俗语言。
英语发展史简述英文The development of English language can be divided into three major stages: Old English, Middle English, and Modern English.Old English (450-1100 AD) was spoken from the 5th century until around the 11th century. It was heavily influenced by Germanic languages, as it originated from the Anglo-Saxon settlement in Britain. Old English was characterized by its complex inflectional system and grammatical structures.Middle English (1100-1500 AD) was the stage when the English language underwent significant changes due to various influences. The Norman Conquest in 1066 brought French influence, resulting in a considerable number of French loanwords entering the English vocabulary. During this period, English also experienced string changes in pronunciation and grammar, making it easier to learn and use.Modern English (1500-present) began with the introduction of the printing press in the late 15th century. This enabled the spread of standardized English and facilitated language standardization. During the Renaissance, English vocabulary expanded as a result of the rediscovery of classical literature and exploration of new lands. Modern English has seen the development of various regional dialects and the increasing influence of American English due to globalization and the dominance of the United States. Overall, the development of the English language has been shaped by historical events, cultural exchanges, and technologicaladvancements, resulting in its widespread usage worldwide as a global lingua franca.。
英语的发展历程英文The Evolution of the English LanguageEnglish is a language that has undergone significant changes throughout its history. From its origins as a Germanic language spoken by tribes in what is now known as England, to becoming one of the most widely spoken languages in the world, its evolution has been influenced by various factors. This article will provide a brief overview of the key stages in the development of the English language.Old English, also known as Anglo-Saxon, was the earliest form of English spoken from the 5th to the 11th century. It was heavily influenced by Germanic dialects spoken by the Anglo-Saxon settlers and had a complex inflectional grammar system. The vocabulary of Old English also included words of Celtic, Latin, and Norse origin.The next significant stage in the evolution of English was Middle English, which was spoken from the 11th to the 15th century. During this period, the Norman Conquest in 1066 brought the French language to England, resulting in a fusion of Old English and French vocabulary. The influence of Latin also increased, especially in the fields of religion, law, and medicine. Middle English grammar simplified compared to Old English, but it still maintained some of the complex features.The Early Modern English period emerged in the late 15th century and lasted until the late 17th century. This era coincided with important historical events such as the Renaissance and theProtestant Reformation. The printing press invention by William Caxton in 1476 played a crucial role in standardizing English spelling and accelerating the spread of the written language. The works of influential writers like William Shakespeare contributed significantly to the development of Early Modern English vocabulary and grammar.The Late Modern English phase started in the late 17th century and continues until the present day. This period witnessed significant changes in pronunciation and the rise of the British Empire, which helped English become a global language. Industrialization and technological advancements also brought new words and concepts into the English vocabulary.Currently, English exists in various forms, including American English, British English, and other regional or dialectal variations. Additionally, the widespread use of English as a lingua franca in international communication has led to further adaptations and the inclusion of loanwords from other languages.In conclusion, the English language has evolved over time from its Germanic roots to become a global language with diverse influences. The stages of Old English, Middle English, Early Modern English, and Late Modern English reflect the dynamic nature of language and its ability to adapt to different cultures and historical developments.。
英语发展史年表-----公元前3000年至公元前500年伊比利亚人(Ierians)居住在英伦三岛-----公元前500年至公元450年由凯尔特人(Celts)取代居住在英伦三岛-----公元前55年罗马帝国皇帝克罗迪斯(Claudius)率军4万人征服了不列颠岛的中部和东南部,即现在的英格兰。
罗马人在英国的统治历时近400年。
-----410年罗马军队撤走。
-----449年盎格鲁人(Angles)、萨克逊人(Saxons)和朱特人(Jutes)渡过北海,大举入侵不列颠岛,征服了当时由凯尔特人定居的不列颠岛,实施了日尔曼征服。
他们讲的日尔曼方言演变成古英语,或盎格鲁一萨克逊英语(Anglo-Saxon English)。
------450年~1150年古英语(Old English)时期(盎格鲁-萨克森英语)。
------597年受罗马教皇格雷高里一世(Pope Gregory the Great)派遣,奥古斯丁(St.Augustine)等传教士来到英国肯特郡的坎特伯雷,开始在盎格鲁一萨克逊人的英国传播基督教。
第一次文化入侵(拉丁语)。
------793年开始,斯堪的纳维亚人,又称北欧的海盗(丹麦人为主)(Vikings)开始入侵不列颠岛。
到了10世纪中期,几乎个英格兰都落入了北欧海盗手中。
第二次文化入侵(北欧语)。
------1066年,法国的诺曼底公爵入侵不列颠岛,法国诺曼底人(Normans)征服了不列颠岛,最终成功得控制了英国全国,第三次文化入侵(法语)。
英语从拉丁语,丹麦人讲的北日尔曼语和诺曼底人讲的法语等语言中吸收了很多成分,演变成中古英语。
------1150年~1500年中古英语时期。
欧洲文艺复兴, 人文主义思想, 欧洲宗教改革,各国之间的相互交往增多,英语从多达50多种语言中借入词汇。
除拉丁语和希腊语外,英语从法语、意大利语、西班牙语借词数量最大,演变成现代英语。
------1500年~至今现代和当代英语时期。
英语发展简史在罗马人入侵英格兰之前﹐来自欧洲地区的凯尔特人(Celts﹕属于今天苏格兰﹐爱尔兰人和威尔士人的祖先)已经在英伦列岛居住多年。
罗马人自公元前55年代开始﹐发动对英格兰的入侵﹐但直到公元43年才完全征服英格兰﹐自罗马人入侵到公元410年撤出英格兰﹐罗马人已经在英格兰盘居长达四百年之久。
在罗马人离开后﹐来自欧洲西日耳曼部落‘Angelen’ 地区的盎格鲁人(Angles) ﹑其它部落的撒克逊人(Saxon) ﹑朱特人(Jutes) 和弗里斯兰人(Frisian)开始跨海西迁进入英格兰地区(英语中的‘English’就是出自古词‘englisc ’﹐‘englise’中的‘ Engle’表示‘ the Angles ’﹐即是‘盎格鲁人’的意思)﹐并与当地的凯尔特人(Celts) 为争寻土地发生了长期的战争﹐经历几代后也续渐在英格兰各处定居下来。
凯尔特人(Celts)的国王 Arthur在Celts与日耳曼人之间长久的战争中﹐虽然曾一度与日耳曼停战﹐但最终凯尔特人还是不敌日耳曼人而被驱赶到今天的爱尔兰﹑威尔士和马恩(Man)岛地区﹐日耳曼人称威尔士地区的Celts为‘wealas’意即外国人﹐‘ Welsh ’和‘Wales’亦因此而得名。
英语作为最初期日耳曼人使用的语言﹐自从在英伦半岛生根成长到今天﹐整个语言的演进基本上可以划分为以下4个时期﹕1. Pre-old English. 前古英语时期(从日耳曼人入侵开始至公元500年罗马人撤出英格兰)2. Old English. 古英语时期(公元500-1100)3. Middle English. 中古英语时期(公元1100-1500)4. Modern English. 现代英语时期(公元1500-现在)古英语时期在前古英语时期﹐表记文字只有凯尔特人和日耳曼人受罗马字母影响而产生的RUNES字母。
但是从597年后开始﹐St. Augustine 主持了Kent国王Ethelberht 的受洗仪式﹐令他皈依了基督教。
英语的发展历程The development of English Language has a long and complex history, starting from its origins in ancient Germanic and Old English to its modern form spoken and written by billions of people worldwide. This essay will briefly outline the key stages in the development of the English language.The roots of English can be traced back to around 2000 years ago when the Germanic tribes, including the Angles, Saxons, and Jutes, migrated to the British Isles from what is now Denmark and Germany. They brought with them their Germanic languages, which eventually evolved into what is known as Old English. Old English was spoken from the 5th to the 11th centuries and was heavily influenced by the Latin of the Roman occupation as well as the Scandinavian languages due to Viking invasions.The Norman Conquest in 1066 dramatically changed the course of English development. The Normans, led by William the Conqueror, spoke a form of Old French known as Anglo-Norman. As a result, French had a significant impact on the English language, with many French words entering the vocabulary and changing the grammatical structure.Middle English emerged following the Norman Conquest and was spoken from the 11th to the 15th centuries. During this period, English underwent significant changes in pronunciation, vocabulary, and grammar. The English language absorbed an abundance of words from Latin and Greek due to the influence of the Catholic Church and education, further enriching the language.The invention of the printing press by William Caxton in the late 15th century marked another milestone in the development of English. Printed books became more accessible to the general population, contributing to the standardization of English spelling and grammar. The Great Vowel Shift, a major phonological change in the English language, also occurred during this period, shaping the pronunciation of many words that we still use today. The voyages and exploration of the British Empire from the 16thto the 19th centuries brought English to different parts of the world and influenced its global spread. The colonization of America, Australia, and many parts of Africa and Asia led to the emergence of different varieties of English, known as dialects or accents. These varieties developed their own unique characteristics influenced by the local languages and cultures.In the 20th century, with the rise of technology and communication, English became the world's dominant language in trade, international relations, and science. This global influence contributed to the standardization of English through organizations such as the Oxford English Dictionary and the formation of institutions like the British Council and the English Language Teaching Association.However, it is important to note that the development of English is an ongoing process. New words are constantly being added to the vocabulary due to cultural changes, technological advancements, and globalization. English has become a lingua franca, a language used for communication between people who do not share a common native language.In conclusion, the development of English language spans over centuries and has gone through several significant stages. From its Germanic roots to its global dominance, English has evolved and adapted to the changing world around it. As the language continues to connect people around the globe, it will undoubtedly continue to change and develop in the future.。
★英语的史_共10篇范文一:英语的历史英语的历史英语是第一国际语言,母语为非英语国家的人学习外语时首选英语。
根据谱系分类法,语言可分成八大语系,即汉藏语系,印欧语系,闪含语系等。
英语属印欧语系日尔曼语族西日尔曼语支.以英语为母语的国家有美国、加拿大、英国、爱尔兰、澳大利亚、新西兰、南非、加勒比海诸国(巴哈马、牙买加、巴巴多斯、格林纳达、特立尼加和多巴哥)以及南美的圭亚那。
还有一些国家如印度、马来西亚、新加坡、尼日利亚、加纳、塞拉利昂、喀麦隆等英语也被作为官方语言。
全世界大约有3亿人在讲英语,另外有20亿人在一定程度上懂英语。
英语是如何崛起的,值得我们认真研究。
一、英国英语时期1.古代英语是从公元449年日耳曼的首领Jitish人在不列颠的肯特郡登陆时开始的。
公元前,大不列颠岛上住着克尔特人等,公元五到六世纪盎格鲁撒克逊人开始移入。
公元7世纪先后出现了7个Angle—Saxon王国,English一词就是从Angle演变而来的。
有三种语言对古代英语产生过较大影响,他们是凯尔特语,遗迹有Avon,Kennet,Dover和London;拉丁语,幸存的词语有:ancor(anchor),f**ce(f**k),mil(mile),altar(altare),papa,plante(plant),dihtan(dictate);1013年后一个时期,丹麦人统治了全英格兰,所以,古北欧语是对古英语有影响的第三种语言.它们的影子多带sk音,如:sky,skin,skull,scare,skill。
最早的英语文学作品只能追溯到750年,即刻在石碑上的“DreatheRood”(十字架之梦)。
比中国的《诗经》晚了1000多年。
2.中世纪的英语可分两个阶段,第一阶段从1066年诺曼征服起。
英王爱德华(忏悔者)无嗣而终,哈罗德被选为继承人.诺曼底大公威廉以哈罗德不是王室血统为由,对英国出兵征服。
在长达两个世纪的征服时期,法语作为统治阶级的官方用语成了语言上的最大成果,英国的遗老遗少不得不学点法语,以便发号施令。
The historical development of English language can be divided into three stages: Old English, Middle English and modern English.英语语言的历史发展可以分为三个阶段,分别是:古英语(Old English),中世纪英语(Middle English)和现代英语(Modern English)。
古英语(Old English):The recorded English language began in 449.Two influence on English. 有记载的英语语言起始于449年。
对英语的两种影响。
First is the latin in fluence.The Germanic tribes had been in contact with the Romans before they invaded Britain, and there were many Latin words in their languages.In 597 A.D., a priest named Augustine came to England from Rome to preach. Roman culture was introduced into England with Christianity. At the same time, a number of Latin words came into English.一是拉丁影响,日耳曼部族在入侵不列颠之前就已经和罗马人有所接触,其语言中也就有了许多拉丁词汇。
公元597年,一个名叫奥古斯丁的牧师从罗马来到英国传教。
罗马文化随着基督教传入了英国,与此同时,一批拉丁词进入了英语。
The second is the Scandinavian influence. About the 9th century AD, Scandinavians and Englishmen had frequent contacts, so many Scandinavian words came into England.二是斯堪的纳维亚影响。
英语,作为当今世界上使用最广泛的语言之一,其发展历史源远流长,充满了丰富的文化内涵和演变过程。
从公元410年罗马人离开不列颠,到如今成为国际交流的通用语言,英语的发展历史大致可以分为以下几个阶段。
一、古英语时期(公元5世纪-11世纪)公元5世纪,日耳曼人中的盎格鲁、萨克逊和朱特三个部族入侵不列颠岛,带来了他们的语言——盎格鲁-萨克逊语,这成为了英语的基础。
在此期间,英语逐渐形成并发展,但受限于当时的历史条件,其发展速度相对缓慢。
二、中古英语时期(公元11世纪-15世纪)1066年,诺曼底公爵威廉征服英格兰,带来了法语。
此后,法语对英语产生了深远的影响,许多法语词汇和语法结构被吸收到英语中。
这一时期的英语被称为中古英语,其特点是词汇丰富、语法复杂。
三、早期现代英语时期(公元15世纪-17世纪)15世纪末,英国人开始使用活版印刷术,这极大地推动了英语的传播和发展。
此外,莎士比亚等文学巨匠的出现,使得英语逐渐成为文学语言。
这一时期的英语在词汇、语法和发音等方面都发生了很大的变化。
四、现代英语时期(公元18世纪至今)18世纪,英国成为世界霸主,英语逐渐成为国际通用语言。
这一时期的英语在词汇、语法和发音等方面趋于稳定,同时也吸收了许多其他语言的词汇。
现代英语的语法结构更加规范,发音也更加标准。
总结:英语的发展历史是一个不断演变、吸收和融合的过程。
从古英语时期的日耳曼语系,到中古英语时期吸收法语,再到现代英语时期成为国际通用语言,英语在发展过程中不断吸收其他语言的优秀元素,形成了独特的文化内涵。
英语的发展历程,不仅展示了语言的魅力,也反映了人类文明的交流与融合。
在今天这个全球化时代,英语的重要性愈发凸显,学习英语已成为全球人民的共同需求。
英语发展历史英文作文英文:The development of English language can be traced backto the 5th century when Germanic tribes invaded Britain and brought their language with them. Over the centuries, English has gone through various stages of evolution, from Old English to Middle English and finally to Modern English.Old English, also known as Anglo-Saxon, was spoken from the 5th century to the 11th century. During this time, English was heavily influenced by Latin and Norse. Middle English, which was spoken from the 11th century to the 15th century, saw the introduction of French vocabulary due tothe Norman Conquest of England in 1066. Modern English, which began in the 15th century, is the form of Englishthat is spoken today.The development of English language can also be attributed to the rise of the British Empire. As theBritish colonized various parts of the world, English became a global language and was adopted as the official language in many countries.English has also been greatly influenced by technology and the internet. The rise of social media and online communication has led to the creation of new words and phrases, such as "selfie" and "LOL".Overall, the development of English language has been a long and complex process, shaped by historical events, cultural influences, and technological advancements.中文:英语语言的发展可以追溯到公元5世纪,当时日耳曼部落入侵不列颠并带来了他们的语言。
英语的发展历史可以追溯到古代,以下是英语发展历史的详细介绍:
1.古英语时期:公元400年左右,盎格鲁-撒克逊部落从欧洲中部来到大不列颠岛,英语在今天的英格兰地区萌芽。
那时他们的语言被称为“古英语”,很快就被当时还是欧洲角落小国的英格兰奉为官方语言。
2.中古英语时期:随着法语在11世纪和12世纪的流行,古英语逐渐受到其影响,进而发展成为中古英语。
这一时期,英语逐渐从一种方言发展成为一种具有文学和历史价值的语言。
3.早期现代英语时期:早期现代英语始于15世纪后半期,当时印刷机被引进到伦敦,开始了国王詹姆斯圣经的印刷和元音大推移。
这一时期,英语逐渐成为英国社会的主流语言,文学和戏剧作品开始大量涌现。
4.现代英语时期:现代英语时期始于18世纪后期,当时英国完成了工业革命,而美国则在19世纪后期成为世界上最大的经济和文化强国。
这一时期,英语逐渐成为全球广泛使用的语言之一,特别是在商业、科学、技术、娱乐等领域。
总的来说,英语的发展历史是一部漫长而丰富多彩的历程。
在历史的长河中,英语经历了多次变革和发展,逐渐成为今天全球广泛使用的语言之一。
英语发展史英文版简短The development of English Language can be traced back to the5th century when the Germanic tribes, known as the Anglo-Saxons, migrated to what is now known as England. Old English, as it was called, was heavily influenced by the Germanic languages and had a complex grammar system.In the 11th century, Norman Invasion brought about the influence of French on the English language. This period, known as Middle English, saw the merging of French and Old English vocabulary, resulting in a more diverse and enriched language.During the Renaissance era, English underwent significant changes due to the revival of classical languages like Latin and Greek. Many new words were borrowed from these languages, contributing to the expansion of the English vocabulary.The 17th and 18th centuries marked the Enlightenment period, during which English underwent standardization and the establishment of grammar and spelling rules. This led to the publication of influential dictionaries and grammar books.In the 19th century, the British Empire expanded, and English spread around the world as a global language. As a result, different dialects and variations of English emerged in various regions.In the 20th century, English became the dominant language in many fields like science, technology, and international diplomacy. With the rise of globalization and the internet, English has becomethe most widely spoken language in the world, with numerous variations and dialects across different regions.。
英语的起源与发展简史The Origin and Evolution of English: A Brief History.English, a language that has captivated the world, has a rich and fascinating history. Its origin can be traced back to the 5th century when the Anglo-Saxons, a Germanic tribe, settled in Britain. Over the centuries, English has evolved and transformed,吸收 influence from various languages and cultures, 最终 becoming the global language of communication.The Early Stages: Anglo-Saxon England.The earliest form of English, known as Old English or Anglo-Saxon, was brought to Britain by the Anglo-Saxons. This language, which was closely related to other Germanic languages such as German and Dutch, was the predominant language in England until the Norman Conquest of 1066. During this period, English was primarily used for religious, legal, and administrative purposes.The Norman Conquest and the Influence of French.The Norman Conquest brought significant changes to English. The Normans, who were French-speaking, introduceda large number of French words and phrases into the language. This influx of French vocabulary and grammar hada profound impact on English, resulting in the developmentof Middle English. Middle English, which emerged in the11th century, was a hybrid language that combined Anglo-Saxon vocabulary with French grammar and syntax.The Renaissance and the Standardization of English.The Renaissance period, which began in the 14th century, marked a significant turning point in the history of English. During this time, there was a renewed interest in classical literature and languages, which led to the widespread adoption of Latin and Greek words into English. Additionally, the printing press, invented in the 15th century, allowed for the widespread dissemination of books and literature, further promoting the standardization anddevelopment of English.The 16th and 17th centuries saw further changes in English. The Protestant Reformation led to the translation of the Bible into English, making the language more accessible to the common people. Shakespeare, a renowned playwright and poet, used a rich vocabulary and innovative grammar in his works, which significantly contributed to the development and refinement of Modern English.The Global Spread of English.The global spread of English can be attributed to the British Empire's colonial expansion. As the British Empire expanded throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, English became the lingua franca of the Empire, serving as the common language of communication between the colonizers and the colonized. This led to the widespread adoption of English in countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and India.The 20th and 21st centuries saw the further ascendancyof English as the global language of communication. The advent of the internet and globalization has accelerated the spread of English, making it the most widely spoken language in the world. English is now used in international business, politics, education, and culture, and it is the official language of numerous countries and international organizations.In conclusion, the history of English is a fascinating tapestry of cultural exchange and linguistic evolution. From its humble beginnings as a Germanic tribal language to its current status as the global language of communication, English has transformed and adapted, drawing influence from various sources and reflecting the rich diversity of human history and culture.。
英语的演变发展史
英语的演变发展史是一个漫长且复杂的过程。
以下是英语的演变发展史的主要阶段:
1.古英语(Old English)(约5世纪-约11世纪):古英语是英语的最早阶段,起源于5世纪的盎格鲁-撒克逊人的日耳曼语言。
它在语法、发音和词汇方面与现代英语有很大的差异。
2.中古英语(Middle English)(约11世纪-约15世纪):中古英语是古英语向现代英语演变的过渡阶段。
在这个时期,英格兰受到了诺曼底公爵的征服,诺曼法语对英语产生了重要影响。
中古英语的词汇和语法发生了变化。
3.现代英语早期(Early Modern English)(约15世纪-约17世纪):随着英格兰文艺复兴时期的到来,现代英语的早期阶段开始出现。
在这个时期,英语经历了大规模的词汇增加,很多现代英语的拼写和发音规则开始形成。
4.现代英语(Modern English)(17世纪至今):现代英语是指从17世纪开始至今的英语阶段。
它包括早期现代英语、18世纪的乔治时代英语、19世纪的维多利亚时代英语等。
现代英语的词汇和语法经历了进一步的发展和演变,并受到科学、技术和全球化的影响。
值得注意的是,英语的演变发展是一个渐进的过程,没有明确的分界线。
在不同的历史时期,英语还受到了其他语言(如拉丁语、法语和希腊语)的影响,这些影响也对英语的词汇和语法产生了影响。
今天的英语是一种全球性语言,在世界范围内使用广泛。
一种民族语言(包括词汇)的发展与民族的历史密切可关。
要了解英语语汇的发展史,不可避免地跟整个英语的发展史,乃至英国的历史密不可分。
不列颠群岛的最早居民是凯尔特人,又称不列颠人。
公元前55年,罗马人在凯萨大帝的率领下侵入不列颠群岛,凯尔特人被罗马人赶入威尔士和苏格兰的深山之中。
直到公元410年,罗马占领时期才告结束。
随后,来自德国北部平原的三个日耳曼部落盎格鲁人,撒克森人和朱特人开始来到不列颠定居。
英语就是盎格鲁—撒克森人的语言。
语言史学家一般把英语的历史分为三个时期:1、古英语时期,2、中古英语时期,3、现代英语时期。
1、古英语时期(又称盎格鲁-萨克森时期公元450—1100年)日尔曼部落在不列颠定居后,名自占领一些地区。
盎格鲁人占领了泰晤士河以北的英格兰的大部分地区和苏格兰的低地,朱特人占领了肯特郡一带地区,撒克森人占领了泰晤士河以南的大部分地区。
各个部落建立了一些小王国,出现了英国历史上的七国时代。
直到公元830年,阿尔弗雷德大王才统一了整个英格兰地区。
由于全国长期没有统一,所以古英语时期存在着多种方言,主要方言有四种:西萨克森语,肯特语,莫西亚语和北恩布里亚语。
这四种方言都曾一度占主导地位。
西撒克森语保存下来的手搞最多。
其它方言在形成英语的过程中也起过很重要的作用。
古英语的词汇有着浓厚的日尔曼语族的特点。
这主要表现为复合法是重要的构词方法。
复合词在古英语词汇中占有显著的地位。
据统计,在史诗《贝奥武夫》3183行诗句中,竟有1069个复合词。
有些复合词中不重读部分,渐渐失去了独立地位,而演变成了词缀,如for-, in-, -ful 等派生法在古英语中也广泛使用。
共有二十四个名词后缀、十五个形容词后缀,-dom, -hood, -ship, -ness, -the, -ful,- ish 等词缀都可溯源到古英语时期。
古英语时期的诗歌有一种特殊的修辞手法,即头韵(alliteration),由此产生的许多短语一直保留到现在,如night and main, friend or foe, a labour of love。
古英语时期有两个重要的历史事件,给英语词汇带来较大的影响。
第一件事是基督教传入英国。
公元597年,一个名叫奥古斯丁的牧师从罗马来到英国传教。
罗马文化随着基督教传入了英国。
与此同时,一批拉丁词进入了英语。
第二件事是北欧人入侵英国。
从公元790年开始,大批斯堪的那维亚人在英国定居。
丹麦国王卡纽特还一度成为英国的君主。
斯堪的那维亚人和英国人频繁交往,所以有许多斯堪的那维亚各国的词语进入了英语。
2、中古英语时期(公元1100—1500年)公元1066年,诺曼人在征服王威廉率领下,横渡英吉利海峡,在哈斯丁战役中击溃了盎格鲁-萨克森军队,英王哈路德战死,英国被征服。
这在历史上被称为诺曼征服。
从此,英国结束了分裂状态,置于中央集权的封建统治之下。
谨曼征服是英国历史上的重要转折点,对英语的发展有巨大的影响。
诺曼征服之后,谨曼人占据了教会和政府的一切重要职务。
以后的二、三百年里,谨曼法语成为英国的官方语言。
普通人仍然讲英语,但英语的文字记载却几乎中断。
中古英语一般右以分为两个时期,1204年后,英语逐渐恢复主导地位。
1362年英王爱德华三世首次用英语向议会致词。
十五世纪,伦敦标准方言兴起。
1476年,卡克斯顿把印刷术传入英国,对英语拼写标准化、传播英语书面语都起了很大的推进作用。
在中古英语时期,英语历经了剧烈变化。
词尾变化大多消失,名词的性也消失了。
词序,虚词和语调成了表示句子关系的主要手段。
如果说古一英语与其它日尔曼语族的语言一样是典型的综合语,那么到了中古英语末期,英语已逐渐具有分析语的特性。
而且这个趋势一直在继续着。
词汇方面的变化也是显著的。
由于诺曼法语一度是英国统治阶级的语言,大批法语词涌入英语。
在政治、宗教、法律、军事、社交、服饰、饮食等凡是与统治阶级有关的一切领域都有反映。
法语词成了这些领域所用词语的主体。
从此,英语改变了运用复合法创造新词的主要手段,并用来指称新事物,表达新概念这一日尔曼语族语言的特征,而向外来语敞开了大门。
用直接引进借词的方法来满足对新词的需要。
这一变化对英语词汇的发展影响深远,为日后大量借词—主要是希腊语词、拉丁语词—进入英语铺平了道路。
随着众多的法语借词被吸收进英语,一些法语和拉丁语的词缀也被英语化了,成为英语构词的重要素材。
如前缀dis-, en-, inter-, mal-, non-, pre-, re-, semi-, sub-后缀如-able, -acy, -age, -al, -ancy/ency, -ate, -ory, -ance, -ant/-ent, -ician, -ise。
与此同时,有些英语本族语的词缀反而被废弃不用了。
在复合词的构成格式方面,也吸收了法语的一些特色,例如:名词+形容词,副词+过去分词(例by-gone)。
这些现象,语言学史上称为英语的罗曼语化。
这就是为什么从谱系关系上看,英语与德语同族,但现代英语的词汇和法语更相近的原因。
大量的法语词的涌入,也使英语词汇起了词义变化。
有一些英语固有的词被淘汰掉了,有一些虽然还存在,但词义范围有所改变,或者带上特有的文体色彩和感情色彩。
例如:wed在古英语中作“结婚”解,但在中古英语时期传入了法语词”merry”,英语中“结婚”这一意义渐渐由marry来表示,wed只用在引申意义中了;它的动名词wedding还是一个常用的词,但只限于指“婚礼”。
带有不同文体意义的英语本族语词与法语并存,组成了英语中特有的同义词群格式。
3、现代英语时期(1500-- )到中古英语末期,英语已经确立了作为英国国语的地位。
乔叟的作品证明,英语已成为一种成熟的文学语言。
英语语法的简单化过程已大体完成,拼写走向固定,基本词汇也已形成。
总之,现代英语的基础也已经奠定。
如果说阅读中古英语以前的英语仿佛是在读另外一种语言,那么十六世纪以后的英语与当代的英语的差别也就不那么明显了。
现代英语一般以1700年为界,分为早期现代英语与后期现代英语。
1700年英语规范化和标准化过程已经完成,这以后英语的语音和语法都无大的变化,只有词汇不断地扩大和丰富。
早期现代英语时期,对英语词汇的影响最大的是文艺复兴运动。
文专职复兴运动是十四世纪在意大利开始的,在十六世纪以后的两个世纪内对英国的影响很大。
在这一时期,强调研究古代希腊、罗马文化,以对抗中世纪的封建文化。
于是许多外来词,主要是拉丁语和希腊语的词语传入英语,成为英语的书面语和术语词的基本部分。
同时也为英语提供了大量的同义词。
希腊和拉丁语词进入英语后有的保留了原来的形式,如 climax, appendix, exterior, axis;有的失去了词尾,如(扩号内为拉丁语), consult (consultare), exclusion (exclusioneum) exotic (exoticus);还有的改变了词尾,使之更适合英语的形式,如形容词词尾us 变成了ous或变成al,名词词尾tas变为ty。
经过1640年英国资产阶级革命和其后的工业革命,英帝国开始向外扩张,与世界各地的交往日趋频繁,全球各地的语言都有语汇进入了英语,例如:harem[波斯语,商队],bazaar[波斯语,市场],shawl[波斯语,披肩],kiosk[土耳其语,凉亭],coffee[土耳其语],nabob[印地语,大富翁],soy[日语,酱油],orang-outang[马来语,猩猩],paddy[马来语,稻]。
与此同时,由于与法国一直保持着密切关系,法语词仍然源源不断地传入英语。
这一时期传入英语的法语词很多保留了法语在发音和拼写上的特征,如protégé,被保护人,chaise 两轮马车。
在构词法方面,截短单词和混成词迅速增加。
依靠元音交替构成新词的方法被逐渐废弃了。
在这一时期,英语被带到了英国以外的一些地区、国家。
成为那里的通用语言。
这里应特别提到的美国英语。
随着时间的推移,大西洋两边的盎格鲁-萨克森人使用的英语尽管基本相同,但在语言,拼写和语法方面都开始出现一些区别。
二十世纪以来,英美的科学文化有了很大的发展,各式各样的宣传媒介越来越普及,又发生了两次世界大战,从们之间的交往越来越多,英语的词汇也随着越来越丰富。
词汇量有了成倍的增加。
英语作为一种国际的语言,是英国,美国,澳大利亚,新西兰,加拿大等国的国语。
使用人口过三亿四千万以上,是在国际上使用最广泛的语言,在国际交往中起着重要的作用。
经过1500年的变迁,英语从几个日耳曼部族的语言发展为今天具有重大国际影响的语言,这固然有政治,经济,社会的原因,但英语本身也有其它主要语言所没有的长处。
词汇的国际性便是他的优点之一。
从本单元简略地回顾中可以看出英语善于吸收外来词。
一方面英语属于日尔曼语族,有日尔曼语的共同词语,另一方面又长期与法语及其它罗曼语族语言的联系密切,同时吸收了大量古典词语。
可以说,英语把代表欧洲主要文化的词语兼收并蓄于一身,这在欧洲各语言中间是独特的。
从语法角度看,英语词尾变化简单,没有复杂的性数格变化。
英语正在不断向分析性语言的方向发展,向简化的方向发展,英语的词序起的作用越来越大,这也使英语比较容易学习,特别是容易入门了。
英语也有他的弱点。
最容易察觉的便是拼读不统一,造成的拼写混乱。
此外,同义词、惯用语特别多,这固然使其表现力强,但同时也给英语学习者带来了不少的因难。
English is a member of the Indo-European family of languages. This broad family includes most of the European languages spoken today. The Indo-European family includes several major branches: Latin and the modern Romance languages (French etc.); the Germanic languages (English, German, Swedish etc.); the Indo-Iranian languages (Hindi, Urdu, Sanskrit etc.); the Slavic languages (Russian, Polish, Czech etc.); the Baltic languages of Latvian and Lithuanian; the Celtic languages (Welsh, Irish Gaelic etc.); Greek.The influence of the original Indo-European language can be seen today, even though no written record of it exists. The word for father, for example, is vater in German, pater in Latin, and pitr in Sanskrit. These words are all cognates, similar words in different languages that share the same root.By the second century BC, this Common Germanic language had split into three distinct sub-groups:East Germanic was spoken by peoples who migrated back to southeastern Europe. No East Germanic language is spoken today, and the only written East Germanic language that survives is Gothic.North Germanic evolved into the modern Scandinavian languages of Swedish, Danish, Norwegian, and Icelandic (but not Finnish, which is related to Hungarian and Estonian and is not an Indo-European language).West Germanic is the ancestor of modern German, Dutch, Flemish, Frisian, and English.Old English (500-1100 AD)West Germanic invaders from Jutland and southern Denmark: the Angles (whose name is the source of the words England and English), Saxons, and Jutes, began to settle in the British Isles in the fifth and sixth centuries AD. They spoke a mutually intelligible language, similar to modern Frisian - the language of the northeastern region of the Netherlands - that is called Old English. Four major dialects of Old English emerged, Northumbrian in the north of England, Mercian in the Midlands, West Saxon in the south and west, and Kentish in the Southeast.These invaders pushed the original, Celtic-speaking inhabitants out of what is now England into Scotland, Wales, Cornwall, and Ireland, leaving behind a few Celtic words. These Celtic languages survive today in the Gaelic languages of Scotland and Ireland and in Welsh. Cornish, unfortunately, is, in linguistic terms, now a dead language. (The last native Cornish speaker died in 1777) Also influencing English at this time were the Vikings. Norse invasions and settlement, beginning around 850, brought many North Germanic words into the language, particularly in the north of England. Some examples are dream, which had meant 'joy' until the Vikings imparted its current meaning on it from the Scandinavian cognate draumr, and skirt, which continues to live alongside its native English cognate shirt.The majority of words in modern English come from foreign, not Old English roots. In fact, only about one sixth of the known Old English words have descendants surviving today. But this is deceptive; Old English is much more important than these statistics would indicate. About half of the most commonly used words in modern English have Old English roots. Words like be, water, and strong, for example, derive from Old English roots.Old English, whose best known surviving example is the poem Beowulf, lasted until about 1100. Shortly after the most important event in the development and history of the English language, the Norman Conquest.The Norman Conquest and Middle English (1100-1500)William the Conqueror, the Duke of Normandy, invaded and conquered England and the Anglo-Saxons in 1066 AD. The new overlords spoke a dialect of Old French known as Anglo-Norman. The Normans were also of Germanic stock ("Norman" comes from "Norseman") and Anglo-Norman was a French dialect that had considerable Germanic influences in addition to the basic Latin roots.Prior to the Norman Conquest, Latin had been only a minor influence on the English language, mainly through vestiges of the Roman occupation and from the conversion of Britain to Christianity in the seventh century (ecclesiastical terms such as priest, vicar, and mass came into the language this way), but now there was a wholesale infusion of Romance (Anglo-Norman) words.The influence of the Normans can be illustrated by looking at two words, beef and cow. Beef, commonly eaten by the aristocracy, derives from the Anglo-Norman, while theAnglo-Saxon commoners, who tended the cattle, retained the Germanic cow. Many legal terms, such as indict, jury , and verdict have Anglo-Norman roots because the Normans ran the courts. This split, where words commonly used by the aristocracy have Romantic roots and words frequently used by the Anglo-Saxon commoners have Germanic roots, can be seen in many instances.Sometimes French words replaced Old English words; crime replaced firen and uncle replaced eam. Other times, French and Old English components combined to form a new word, as the French gentle and the Germanic man formed gentleman. Other times, two different words with roughly the same meaning survive into modern English. Thus we have the Germanic doom and the French judgment, or wish and desire.In 1204 AD, King John lost the province of Normandy to the King of France. This began a process where the Norman nobles of England became increasingly estranged from their French cousins. England became the chief concern of the nobility, rather than their estates in France, and consequently the nobility adopted a modified English as their native tongue. About 150 years later, the Black Death (1349-50) killed about one third of the English population. And as a result of this the labouring and merchant classes grewin economic and social importance, and along with them English increased in importance compared to Anglo-Norman.This mixture of the two languages came to be known as Middle English. The most famous example of Middle English is Chaucer's Canterbury Tales. Unlike Old English, Middle English can be read, albeit with difficulty, by modern English-speaking people.By 1362, the linguistic division between the nobility and the commoners was largely over. In that year, the Statute of Pleading was adopted, which made English the language of the courts and it began to be used in Parliament.The Middle English period came to a close around 1500 AD with the rise of Modern English.Early Modern English (1500-1800)The next wave of innovation in English came with the Renaissance. The revival of classical scholarship brought many classical Latin and Greek words into the Language. These borrowings were deliberate and many bemoaned the adoption of these "inkhorn" terms, but many survive to this day. Shakespeare's character Holofernes in Loves Labor Lost is a satire of an overenthusiastic schoolmaster who is too fond of Latinisms.Many students having difficulty understanding Shakespeare would be surprised to learn that he wrote in modern English. But, as can be seen in the earlier example of the Lord's Prayer, Elizabethan English has much more in common with our language today than it does with the language of Chaucer. Many familiar words and phrases were coined or first recorded by Shakespeare, some 2,000 words and countless idioms are his. Newcomersto Shakespeare are often shocked at the number of cliches contained in his plays, until they realize that he coined them and they became cliches afterwards. "One fell swoop," "vanish into thin air," and "flesh and blood" are all Shakespeare's. Words he bequeathed to the language include "critical," "leapfrog," "majestic," "dwindle," and "pedant."Two other major factors influenced the language and served to separate Middle and Modern English. The first was the Great Vowel Shift. This was a change in pronunciation that began around 1400. While modern English speakers can read Chaucer with some difficulty, Chaucer's pronunciation would have been completely unintelligible to the modern ear. Shakespeare, on the other hand, would be accented, but understandable. Vowel sounds began to be made further to the front of the mouth and the letter "e" at the end of words became silent. Chaucer's Lyf (pronounced "leef") became the modernlife. In Middle English name was pronounced "nam-a," five was pronounced "feef," and down was pronounced "doon." In linguistic terms, the shift was rather sudden, the major changes occurring within a century. The shift is still not over, however, vowel sounds are still shortening although the change has become considerably more gradual.The last major factor in the development of Modern English was the advent of the printing press. William Caxton brought the printing press to England in 1476. Books became cheaper and as a result, literacy became more common. Publishing for the masses became a profitable enterprise, and works in English, as opposed to Latin, became more common. Finally, the printing press brought standardization to English. The dialect of London, where most publishing houses were located, became the standard. Spelling and grammar became fixed, and the first English dictionary was published in 1604.Late-Modern English (1800-Present)The principal distinction between early- and late-modern English is vocabulary. Pronunciation, grammar, and spelling are largely the same, but Late-Modern English has many more words. These words are the result of two historical factors. The first is the Industrial Revolution and the rise of the technological society. This necessitated new words for things and ideas that had not previously existed. The second was the British Empire. At its height, Britain ruled one quarter of the earth's surface, and English adopted many foreign words and made them its own.The industrial and scientific revolutions created a need for neologisms to describe the new creations and discoveries. For this, English relied heavily on Latin and Greek. Words like oxygen, protein, nuclear, and vaccine did not exist in the classical languages, but they were created from Latin and Greek roots. Such neologisms were not exclusively created from classical roots though, English roots were used for such terms as horsepower, airplane, and typewriter.This burst of neologisms continues today, perhaps most visible in the field of electronics and computers. Byte, cyber-, bios, hard-drive, and microchip are good examples. Also, the rise of the British Empire and the growth of global trade served not only to introduce English to the world, but to introduce words into English. Hindi, and the other languages of the Indian subcontinent, provided many words, such as pundit, shampoo, pajamas, and juggernaut. Virtually every language on Earth has contributed to the development of English, from Finnish (sauna) and Japanese (tycoon) to the vast contributions of French and Latin.The British Empire was a maritime empire, and the influence of nautical terms on the English language has been great. Phrases like three sheets to the wind have their origins onboard ships.Finally, the military influence on the language during the latter half of twentieth century was significant. Before the Great War, military service for English-speaking persons was rare; both Britain and the United States maintained small, volunteer militaries. Military slang existed, but with the exception of nautical terms, rarely influenced standard English. During the mid-20th century, however, a large number of British and American men served in the military. And consequently military slang entered the language like never before. Blockbuster, nose dive, camouflage, radar, roadblock, spearhead, and landing strip are all military terms that made their way into standard English.American English and other varietiesAlso significant beginning around 1600 AD was the English colonization of North America and the subsequent creation of American English. Some pronunciations and usages "froze" when they reached the American shore. In certain respects, some varieties of American English are closer to the English of Shakespeare than modern Standard English ('English English' or as it is often incorrectly termed 'British English') is. Some "Americanisms" are actually originally English English expressions that were preserved in the colonies while lost at home (e.g., fall as a synonym for autumn, trash for rubbish, and loan as a verb instead of lend).The American dialect also served as the route of introduction for many native American words into the English language. Most often, these were place names like Mississippi, Roanoke, and Iowa. Indian-sounding names like Idaho were sometimes created that had no native-American roots. But, names for other things besides places were also common. Raccoon, tomato, canoe, barbecue, savanna, and hickory have native American roots, although in many cases the original Indian words were mangled almost beyond recognition.Spanish has also been great influence on American English. Mustang, canyon, ranch, stampede, and vigilante are all examples of Spanish words that made their way into English through the settlement of the American West.A lesser number of words have entered American English from French and West African languages.Likewise dialects of English have developed in many of the former colonies of the British Empire. There are distinct forms of the English language spoken in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, India and many other parts of the world.Global EnglishEnglish has now inarguably achieved global status. Whenever we turn on the news to find out what's happening in East Asia, or the Balkans, or Africa, or South America, or practically anywhere, local people are being interviewed and telling us about it in English. To illustrate the point when Pope John Paul II arrived in the Middle East recently to retrace Christ's footsteps and addressed Christians, Muslims and Jews, the pontiff spoke not Latin, not Arabic, not Italian, not Hebrew, not his native Polish. He spoke in English. Indeed, if one looks at some of the facts about the amazing reach of the English language many would be surprised. English is used in over 90 countries as an official or semi-official language. English is the working language of the Asian trade group ASEAN. It is the de facto working language of 98 percent of international research physicists and research chemists. It is the official language of the European Central Bank, even though the bank is in Frankfurt and neither Britain nor any other predominantly English-speaking country is a member of the European Monetary Union. It is the language in which Indian parents and black parents in South Africa overwhelmingly wish their children to be educated. It is believed that over one billion people worldwide are currently learning English.One of the more remarkable aspects of the spread of English around the world has been the extent to which Europeans are adopting it as their internal lingua franca. English is spreading from northern Europe to the south and is now firmly entrenched as a second language in countries such as Sweden, Norway, Netherlands and Denmark. Although notan official language in any of these countries if one visits any of them it would seem that almost everyone there can communicate with ease in English. Indeed, if one switches ona television in Holland one would find as many channels in English (albeit subtitled), as there are in Dutch.As part of the European Year of Languages, a special survey of European attitudes towards and their use of languages has just published. The report confirms that at the beginning of 2001 English is the most widely known foreign or second language, with 43% of Europeans claiming they speak it in addition to their mother tongue. Sweden now heads the league table of English speakers, with over 89% of the population saying they can speak the language well or very well. However, in contrast, only 36% of Spanish and Portuguese nationals speak English. What's more, English is the language rated as most useful to know, with over 77% of Europeans who do not speak English as their first language, rating it as useful. French rated 38%, German 23% and Spanish 6%English has without a doubt become the global language.。