From Caedmon to Caxton

From Caedmon From Caedmon to Caxtonto CaxtonThomas HoneggerThomas Honegger

[email protected]@gmx.de

http://http://www.db-www.db-thueringenthueringen.de/.de/

content/top/content/top/index.xmlindex.xml

History of EnglishHistory of English

The Celtic Non-influence The Celtic Non-influence 11

Celtic settlement of Britain during Celtic settlement of Britain during the 5th-3rd centuries BC.the 5th-3rd centuries BC.

Romanised Celtic Britain 43-410 Romanised Celtic Britain 43-410 A.D.A.D.

Christian Britain since the 4th Christian Britain since the 4th cent. A.D.cent. A.D.

Anglo-Saxon settlement and Anglo-Saxon settlement and occupation since beginning of 5th occupation since beginning of 5th century A.D.century A.D.


Close contact between the two Close contact between the two peoples, but: hardly any linguistic peoples, but: hardly any linguistic impact of the Celtic language on the impact of the Celtic language on the English languageEnglish language

Place-names & landscape features:Place-names & landscape features:Thames, Avon, Exe, Esk, UskThames, Avon, Exe, Esk, Usk

What do What do WhiskyWhisky and the river and the river UskUsk have in common?have in common?

answer: water (answer: water (usqusq-) -) whisky < usquebaughwhisky < usquebaugh = water of life = water of life


Landscape features:Landscape features: bar (= hill), bre (= hill) => bar (= hill), bre (= hill) =>

cf. Barr, Brendoncf. Barr, Brendon cumb (= deep valley), torr (= cumb (= deep valley), torr (=

peak) =>peak) =>cf. Duncombe, Holcombe, Torr, cf. Duncombe, Holcombe, Torr, TorcrossTorcross


Words from daily contact:Words from daily contact: binn = basket, crib; brocc = binn = basket, crib; brocc =

badger; luh = lake; ?dun? = dark; badger; luh = lake; ?dun? = dark; bratt = cloakbratt = cloak


Celtic mission (St. Columba & 12 Celtic mission (St. Columba & 12 fellow-monks came over from fellow-monks came over from Ireland to Iona in 563 A.D.) => Ireland to Iona in 563 A.D.) => ‘Christian’ words‘Christian’ words

ancor = hermit; dryancor = hermit; dry\\ = magician; = magician; clugge = bell; cursian = to curseclugge = bell; cursian = to curse

The DanelawThe Danelaw

Sundial InscriptionSundial Inscription

ORM GAMALSUNA BOHTE SCS ORM GAMALSUNA BOHTE SCS GREGORIVS MINSTER GREGORIVS MINSTER ÎÎONNE HIT ONNE HIT WES AEL TOBROCAN 7 TO FALAN WES AEL TOBROCAN 7 TO FALAN 7 HE HIT LET MACAN NEWAN 7 HE HIT LET MACAN NEWAN FROM GRUNDE XPE 7 SCS FROM GRUNDE XPE 7 SCS GREGORIVS IN EDWARD DAGUM GREGORIVS IN EDWARD DAGUM CNG 7 IN TOSTI DAGUM EORL 7 CNG 7 IN TOSTI DAGUM EORL 7 HAWARHAWARÎÎ ME WROHTE 7 BRAND ME WROHTE 7 BRAND PRSPRS

Some Characteristics of Some Characteristics of ONON

Loss of initial w-Loss of initial w- wulf => ulfwulf => ulf -son as patronymic element vs. AS --son as patronymic element vs. AS -

inging Brownson vs. BrowningBrownson vs. Browning metathesis: -z to -rmetathesis: -z to -r wulfaz => ulfrwulfaz => ulfr

Alfred the Great Alfred the Great (reigned 871-899)(reigned 871-899)

Aelfred mec heht Aelfred mec heht gewyrcangewyrcan

Alfred’s ‘New Deal’ for Alfred’s ‘New Deal’ for EducationEducation

Translation (into Old English) of Translation (into Old English) of works central for the education of works central for the education of an Anglo-Saxon elitean Anglo-Saxon elite

Trigger: Destruction of former Trigger: Destruction of former centres of learning and scholarship centres of learning and scholarship (monastery schools, monastery (monastery schools, monastery libraries) => hardly any competent libraries) => hardly any competent Latin scholars survived the Latin scholars survived the troublesome decades of the Viking troublesome decades of the Viking invasions (cf. Alfred’s Preface to PC)invasions (cf. Alfred’s Preface to PC)

Alfredian Translations & Alfredian Translations & Writings 1Writings 1

Gregory the Great (540-604): Gregory the Great (540-604): Cura PastoralisCura Pastoralis & & DialoguesDialogues

Boethius (480- 524):Boethius (480- 524):De consolatio PhilosophiaeDe consolatio Philosophiae (later (later also translated by Chaucer and also translated by Chaucer and Elizabeth I)Elizabeth I)

St. Augustine (357-430): St. Augustine (357-430): SoliloquiesSoliloquies

Orosius (5th cent.): Orosius (5th cent.): Historia adversus paganosHistoria adversus paganos

Alfredian Translations & Alfredian Translations & Writings 2Writings 2

Beda Venerabilis (Bede, 673-735): Beda Venerabilis (Bede, 673-735): Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis AnglorumAnglorum

Law CodeLaw Code Anglo-Saxon ChronicleAnglo-Saxon Chronicle Sample entries from the ASC:Sample entries from the ASC:

Year 1. Octavian ruled 56 years, and Year 1. Octavian ruled 56 years, and in the 42 year of his rule Christ was in the 42 year of his rule Christ was born.born.2. The astrologers from eastern parts 2. The astrologers from eastern parts came in order to worship Christ.came in order to worship Christ.

Sample Entries from the Sample Entries from the ASCASC

3. Here Herod passed away, and the 3. Here Herod passed away, and the Christ child was carried back from Egypt.Christ child was carried back from Egypt.11. From the beginning of the world to 11. From the beginning of the world to this year, 5 thousand and 200 years had this year, 5 thousand and 200 years had gone.gone.33. Here Christ was hanged, 5 thousand 33. Here Christ was hanged, 5 thousand and 200 and 26 years from the beginning and 200 and 26 years from the beginning of the world.of the world.47 [43]. Here Claudius, king of the 47 [43]. Here Claudius, king of the Romans, went with a raiding army to Romans, went with a raiding army to Britain.Britain.

Sample Entries from the Sample Entries from the ASCASC

410 [409]. Here the stronghold of 410 [409]. Here the stronghold of Rome was destroyed by the Goths, Rome was destroyed by the Goths, 11 hundred and 10 years after it was 11 hundred and 10 years after it was built. Afterwards, beyond that, the built. Afterwards, beyond that, the kings of the Romans no longer ruled kings of the Romans no longer ruled in Britain.in Britain.449. [...] Hengest and Horsa, invited 449. [...] Hengest and Horsa, invited by Vortigern, king of the Britons, by Vortigern, king of the Britons, sought out Britain [...] at first sought out Britain [...] at first helped the Britons, but later they helped the Britons, but later they fought against them.fought against them.

The Latin InfluenceThe Latin Influence

Zero Period (up to 450 A.D.)Zero Period (up to 450 A.D.) First Period (c. 450-600 A.D)First Period (c. 450-600 A.D) Second Period (c. 600-1100 A.D.)Second Period (c. 600-1100 A.D.)

The Latin Influence 2The Latin Influence 2

Zero Period (up to 450 A.D.)Zero Period (up to 450 A.D.) goes back to the time when the goes back to the time when the

Angles, Saxons and Jutes still Angles, Saxons and Jutes still lived on the Continentlived on the Continent


Zero InfluenceZero Influence contact with Roman civilisation contact with Roman civilisation

(merchants, military)(merchants, military) How can we determine the date How can we determine the date

of the loan?of the loan? Phonetic form: i-mutation Phonetic form: i-mutation

affected words in English during affected words in English during the 7th century.the 7th century.


i-mutation (7th century)i-mutation (7th century) Back vowels æ, a, o, and u are Back vowels æ, a, o, and u are

raised and/or fronted by a pre-Old raised and/or fronted by a pre-Old English i/j in the following syllable. English i/j in the following syllable. This i/j was later weakened to e or This i/j was later weakened to e or disappeared altogether.disappeared altogether.

*badja > *bædja > bed*badja > *bædja > bed*mann-iz > menn*mann-iz > menn

pulvinus > ?pulvinus > ?


i-mutation (7th century)i-mutation (7th century) pulvinus > pyle > pillowpulvinus > pyle > pillow puteus > OE *puti > ?puteus > OE *puti > ? puteus > OE *puti > pytt > pitputeus > OE *puti > pytt > pit


i-mutation (7th century)i-mutation (7th century) moneta > OE *munit > ?moneta > OE *munit > ? moneta > OE *munit > mynet > moneta > OE *munit > mynet >

mintmint moneta > OFr moneie > ME moneta > OFr moneie > ME

monei > moneymonei > money

The Latin Influence 6The Latin Influence 6 Words taken over during the Zero PeriodWords taken over during the Zero Period 1) War: camp (‘battle’) < L. campus; 1) War: camp (‘battle’) < L. campus;

segn (‘banner’) < L. signum; pil segn (‘banner’) < L. signum; pil (‘javelin’) < L. pilum; straet (‘street’) < (‘javelin’) < L. pilum; straet (‘street’) < L. via strataL. via strata

2) Trade: ceap (‘trade’) < L. caupo (‘inn-2) Trade: ceap (‘trade’) < L. caupo (‘inn-keeper’); mangere (‘trader’) < L. mango keeper’); mangere (‘trader’) < L. mango

cf. ironmonger, fishmongercf. ironmonger, fishmonger eced (‘acid’) < L. acetum; cuppe (‘cup’) eced (‘acid’) < L. acetum; cuppe (‘cup’)

< L. cuppa< L. cuppa

The Latin Influence 7The Latin Influence 7 Words taken over during the First Words taken over during the First

Period (450-600 AD)Period (450-600 AD) Latin words via Celtic language (which Latin words via Celtic language (which

had borrowed more than 600 words) or had borrowed more than 600 words) or reinforcement of already existing Latin reinforcement of already existing Latin loans from the Zero Period.loans from the Zero Period.

name-element name-element ceasterceaster < L. castra < L. castra (enclosed space for habitation, not (enclosed space for habitation, not necessarily a military camp)necessarily a military camp)

Winchester, Colchester, Dorchester, Winchester, Colchester, Dorchester, etc.etc.


First Period (450-600 AD)First Period (450-600 AD) portport < L. portus (‘harbour’) < L. portus (‘harbour’)

muntmunt < L. mons, montis < L. mons, montis (‘mountain’)(‘mountain’)wicwic < L. vicus (‘village’) < L. vicus (‘village’)cf. Warwick, Gatwickcf. Warwick, Gatwick


Second Period (600-1100 AD): Second Period (600-1100 AD): loans mainly due to loans mainly due to ChristianisationChristianisation

1) Early influences (600-900 AD): 1) Early influences (600-900 AD): new concepts need to be new concepts need to be expressed in new wordsexpressed in new words

2) Later influence (900-1100 AD):2) Later influence (900-1100 AD):learned words, connection with learned words, connection with Benedictine ReformBenedictine Reform


Early influences (600-900 AD): Early influences (600-900 AD): new concepts need to be new concepts need to be expressed in new wordsexpressed in new words

religion: abbot, alms, altar, religion: abbot, alms, altar, angel, ark, candle, canon, angel, ark, candle, canon, chalice, cleric, disciple (also chalice, cleric, disciple (also loan-translation: leorning-cniht), loan-translation: leorning-cniht), epistle, litany, manna, martyr, epistle, litany, manna, martyr, mass, minster, noon, nun, organ, mass, minster, noon, nun, organ, priest, psalter, relicpriest, psalter, relic

The Monastic Day 1The Monastic Day 1

Ps. 118, 164: Seven times a day I Ps. 118, 164: Seven times a day I will sing your praise! will sing your praise! Ps. 118, 62: I get up at midnight Ps. 118, 62: I get up at midnight to sing your praise!to sing your praise!

23.30 wake up call23.30 wake up call 1) 1) Matutin (Mette)Matutin (Mette) 0.00-2.00 0.00-2.00

2.00 sleep2.00 sleep4.30 wake up call4.30 wake up call


2) Laudes2) Laudes 3) 3) Prim (Hora Prima)Prim (Hora Prima) 5.00-6.305.00-6.30 4) First Mass4) First Mass Work and study 7.00-9.00Work and study 7.00-9.00 5) 5) Terz (Hora Tertia)Terz (Hora Tertia) 9.00-10.009.00-10.00 [6) High Mass (Day Mass)][6) High Mass (Day Mass)]


7) 7) Sext (Hora Sexta)Sext (Hora Sexta)lunch, siesta etc.lunch, siesta etc. 11.00-15.0011.00-15.00

8)8) None (Hora Nona)None (Hora Nona) 15.00-18.0015.00-18.00work and study, dinnerwork and study, dinner

9)9) Vesper (Vesprae)Vesper (Vesprae) 18.00 18.00 (19.00)(19.00)

10) 10) Complete (Completorium)Complete (Completorium)go to sleepgo to sleep 19.3019.30

St John Nepomuk (1350-1393)

RelicsRelics

Parts of the body (bones, hair, teeth, Parts of the body (bones, hair, teeth, blood etc.) of the saint or holy blood etc.) of the saint or holy person.person.

Items that have been in contact with Items that have been in contact with the saint or holy person (splinters the saint or holy person (splinters from the Holy Cross, the Grail, pieces from the Holy Cross, the Grail, pieces of cloth, Turin Shroud, crown of of cloth, Turin Shroud, crown of thorns, rings etc.)thorns, rings etc.)

Curiosa: feather of the Holy Ghost, Curiosa: feather of the Holy Ghost, umbilical cord of Christumbilical cord of Christ

Relics 2Relics 2

‘‘Sympathetic magic’: the items Sympathetic magic’: the items that have come in close contact that have come in close contact with the saint/holy person have with the saint/holy person have taken over some of his/her power taken over some of his/her power - and continues to ‘give off’ power - and continues to ‘give off’ power => a believer can ‘participate’ in => a believer can ‘participate’ in the saint’s power via the relicthe saint’s power via the relic

relics often used to consecrate relics often used to consecrate altarsaltars


Early influences (600-900 AD): Early influences (600-900 AD): new concepts need to be new concepts need to be expressed in new wordsexpressed in new words

domestic life: cap, sock, silk, domestic life: cap, sock, silk, chest, mat, lentil, pear, radish, chest, mat, lentil, pear, radish, oyster, lobster, mussel, fennel, oyster, lobster, mussel, fennel, lily, myrrhlily, myrrh

schooling: school, master, schooling: school, master, grammar, verse, gloss, notarygrammar, verse, gloss, notary


Later influences (900-1100 AD): Later influences (900-1100 AD): of learned nature, due to Benedictine of learned nature, due to Benedictine ReformReform

Flowering of monastic culture (8th & Flowering of monastic culture (8th & 9th centuries) cut short in 9th centuries) cut short in Northumbria and Mercia due to Northumbria and Mercia due to Viking invasion.Viking invasion.

In the aftermath, monastic discipline In the aftermath, monastic discipline and culture suffered from neglect =>and culture suffered from neglect =>


Benedictine Reform in the 10th Benedictine Reform in the 10th century.century.

Strict observance of the Strict observance of the Benedictine RuleBenedictine Rule‘ora et labora’!‘ora et labora’!

chastity, obedience, povertychastity, obedience, poverty effects: improvement of education effects: improvement of education

and monastic disciplineand monastic discipline


New vocabulary:New vocabulary: learning and science: history, learning and science: history,

paper, pumice, ginger, camel, paper, pumice, ginger, camel, tiger, cancer, paralysis, plastertiger, cancer, paralysis, plaster

religion: apostle, cell, cloister, religion: apostle, cell, cloister, creed, demon, dirge, font, idol, creed, demon, dirge, font, idol, prophet, synagogue etc.prophet, synagogue etc.

missing: words of everyday lifemissing: words of everyday life

The Latin Influence 15The Latin Influence 15 strategies to express new concepts:strategies to express new concepts: loansloans loan-translations (disciple vs. leorning-loan-translations (disciple vs. leorning-

cniht; patriarch vs. heahfaeder; martyr cniht; patriarch vs. heahfaeder; martyr vs. throwere [‘sufferer‘]; saint vs. vs. throwere [‘sufferer‘]; saint vs. halga; baptism vs. fulluht)halga; baptism vs. fulluht)

fulluht-baeth?fulluht-baeth? fulluht-nama?fulluht-nama? adaptation of existing terms: Hel > helladaptation of existing terms: Hel > hell


Effects of the Latin influence:Effects of the Latin influence: some 450 Latin words appear in some 450 Latin words appear in

English writings before the end of English writings before the end of the OE period.the OE period.

integration of most elements into integration of most elements into the language => became active the language => became active elements themselveselements themselves

martyr => gemartyrian = ‘to martyr => gemartyrian = ‘to martyr’; martyrhad or martyrdom martyr’; martyrhad or martyrdom = ‘martyrdom’= ‘martyrdom’

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From Caedmon to Caxton