Greetings,
The following forms one part of "A Short History of Elizabethan English" which I am in the process of writing. What will follow here, and in the following posts will be the articlised versions of the chapters of this history. Each is designed to be succinct on its own in order that the entire thing does not have to be posted which would make for a very long blog, however each does join with one another in order to complete the entire history. An important note, these are aimed at the historical aspects of the language rather than the technical ones, as this will come later on.
Cheers,
Henry.
Introduction
Before
delving into the specifics of various elements of the history of Elizabethan
English, it is useful to look at the subject overall in order to examine the
history of the language in a more general manner. This gives the chance to see
generalised patterns in the history of the language before examining specific
aspects of the language and will give some direction in which the discussion
will proceed. This discussion is best made on general terms in order to get a
feeling for the history of the language rather than being concerned with
specifics.
The first
part of the history is to look at the development of the language toward Early
Modern English (EModE) and thus toward Elizabethan English. This examination
needs to go backward somewhat in order to achieve the best view of what is
present in this developmental history. The tracking of this history is
important as it will demonstrate the importance of EModE to the modern
language.
Every
language has influences which are placed upon it from within and from without. From
within the language it is most useful to examine the most prolific and
influential authors and text. Then to look to the external it is useful to see
what the language is based upon. This leads to the following part on the rise
of the language.
In the
early part of its history English was considered to be a juvenile language,
lacking in the sophistication of older ones such as Latin. This part of the
history tracks the rise of English from juvenile language to one which is
accepted for important works. The Reformation figures as important in this
process.
Finally is
an examination of Elizabethan English. The first part of this is an examination
of Elizabethan English as a part of EModE. Next is to examine the impact of the
language on the period and indeed the period on the language. This all
culminates in the development of the language toward the modern language.
The
information presented is more of an introduction to the history of Elizabethan
English more than anything else. While there are specifics which will be noted
and pointed out there is still room for investigation present. With an overall
picture of the language and how it developed through history it is then
possible to examine various elements of this development in more detail.
Developmental History
The history
of a language needs to be studied like any other phenomenon through the
collection of data. Indeed in the case of language it can be the smallest
details which can be the most significant. “The study of the English language
relies on an accumulation of tiny details” (Crystal, 2010:8). This is a study
of a historical process in which people learn how to communicate with one
another, thus it is an important phenomenon worth studying. The important thing
is that it is this process is a developmental one starting in one form and
moving to another, and just as with many other historical phenomena there are
not clearly defined parts of the development. “Language change is no different
from other historical developments in that it does not proceed in stages but
rather by overlaps.” (Nevalainen, 2006:3).
With
language as with other phenomena it is the interactions which are the most
significant and present changes in the language over time. With regard to this
language changes as a result of these interactions and changes form, “thus the
changing forms of a particular language through time are the result of their
interaction with that language’s functions.” (Mugglestone, 2006:120). This
demonstrates changes within the language over time due to interaction with
itself and also external influences. As far as a developmental history of Early
Modern English the transition from Middle English to Early Modern English was
one of elaboration (Mugglestone, 2006:122), meaning that the real change from
one to the other was an increase in complexity. What is also important with
regard to this and highlights the overlapping nature of the development is that
it happened over time.
“it took some 400 years before a
‘standard English’ evolved – a variety of English in which educated people all
came to use the same rules of grammar, spelling and punctuation.” (Crystal,
2010:8)
In fact
there is no real “standard” form of EModE as it was in a state of flux and
development over its entire history. It is only after this period that there is
any real standardisation of the language which was commonly adhered to. However
it was through this flux and development that the modern language was allowed
to form, indeed as a result of the combination of both instability in the
language and the resulting development in EModE that the modern language gained
many of the features which it now contains (Mugglestone, 2006:149). The
developmental period of EModE through the four hundred year period allowed for
developments in the language including an increase in vocabulary through
self-development and borrowing of words, which was one of the more significant
developments.
“the Early Modern English period
is marked by an unprecedented lexical growth. It is achieved both by extensive
borrowing from other languages and by exploiting native resources by means of
word-formation.” (Lass, 1999:332)
Influences on the Language
“All textbooks on the history of
English agree that the two most important influences on the development of the
Renaissance are the works of William Shakespeare (1564 – 1616) and the King
James Bible of 1611” (Crystal, 2003:62)
Every
language has influences which are placed upon it. Some of these are internal
influences and some of these are external influences. In the case of English
and its development through the Renaissance period, it had both, though it
could be argued that it was the internal influences which made the greatest
impact upon the language.
Shakespeare, as mentioned above,
had a great impact upon the language and is recognised for his achievements in
this area. It could even be argued that without the influence of Shakespeare
the language would not have turned out the way that it did. “The Shakespearean
impact on the language was chiefly in the area of the lexicon,” (Crystal,
2003:62). In this particular area Shakespeare coined or at least recorded in
the vicinity of two thousand new words. While this is often recognised as one
of his greatest areas of impact upon the language, he was also a great
manipulator of the language and many idioms used in the modern language are
credited to him even though people use them without recognising them (Crystal,
2003:63). As far as individuals are concerned there was no real other author
which had so much impact upon the language at the time.
The English language in the
Renaissance period was in a state of flux changing in mode of expression and
rules. At this stage the language was not recognised as able to stand on its
own, nor was it recognised as a language of learning, that was the area of the
classic languages, Latin and Greek. Both had an influence on the language and how
it would develop, “one result of this Latin influence on English was the
introduction of a large number of Latin loan-words into the language.” (Barber,
2000:177). However the control of the classical languages and the subjugation
of English would not to last for long.
Rise of English
The
classical languages are those which were studied in schools and more to the
point at universities, the recognised seats of learning and it was due to this
that they had a hold over what language was suitable. The English language
criticised as not suitable for learning better done in Greek or Latin (Crystal,
2003:60). For the most part, it can be argued, was that all of the classical
authors were written in either Latin or Greek and that English was a relative
newcomer to the scene without clear establishment. However as arguments of a
religious and intellectual nature began to involve more than those learned
individuals, English began to take hold and assert itself.
“In the defeat of Latin and the
final establishment of English as the sole literary medium in England, a
considerable part was played by the religious disputes that raged from the
fifteenth to the seventeenth century. During the Reformation, people engaged in
controversy wanted to be read by as large a public as possible.” (Barber, 2000:175)
The
revolution in learning began as early as the Tudors and as this spread so
people wanted to know more and be involved more in learning and things
associated with learning. The Reformation provided a spark of interest to the
situation and encouraged more people to read, and thus be informed. The only
real way to do this was to write in English, thus much was written in English
in order to reach largest audience especially in regard to religious matters
(Barber, 2000:176). This took the place of the classical languages indeed as
more people learnt the language more was changed from classical languages into
the vernacular. One of the biggest steps with regard to this revolution was the
writing of the Bible in English, “The translation of the Bible into English,
moreover, and the changeover from Latin to English in church services, raised
the prestige of English.” (Barber, 2000:176). The fact that a fundamental
religious text was translated into English demonstrated the prestige of the
language and this was only to reinforce the position of the language. This was
only the beginning of the process.
The Bible
was one of the first texts to be translated into English so that more people
could read it. However it would not be the last. Some of this was due to the
influence of the up and rising merchant class, often of whom did not know the
classical languages but still wanted access to the new learning that was coming
about in the Renaissance period, thus, “the rise of social and occupational
groups which had little or no Latin, but which were eager to read and learn,
and wanted books in English.” (Barber, 2000:176). This increased the popularity
of the language for reading intellectual matters and new discoveries.
The Reformation and the changes
in religion only served to fuel the fire of passion for learning in order that
people were able to keep up with the movements in religious thought and
argument. Thus more and more was written of an intellectual nature in English
rather than the classical languages. This was a popular struggle not only for
the new religion but also for the language of the nation. As more and more was
written in English so the language gained power and recognition. “By the end of
the 16th century, the matter was resolved. English became the
language of learning.” (Crystal, 2003:61). A victory over the classical
languages, though they still retained some of their influence.
Elizabethan English
“The story of English thus
becomes more definite in the 16th century, with more evidence
available about the way the language was developing, both in the texts
themselves, and in a growing number of observations dealing with such areas as
grammar, vocabulary, writing system, and style. In that century scholars seriously
got down to talking about their
language.” (Crystal, 2003:56)
The
beginning of the real dominance of the English language over Latin and other
classical languages can be seen in Elizabethan English. It was born out of a
time in which the language was in flux but this was to be one of the great
advantages of the language as it allowed it to grow and develop over time. The
solidification in the language is found here where the language becomes
something in and of itself. Rather than being supported by other languages,
elements of other languages are used to enhance the language. “In the
Elizabethan period the English language flexes its muscles. It begins to
experiment, to play around, to show off.” (Gooden, 2009:75). This makes for a
very exciting sort of history to be examining. What is useful to note about all
the developments here is that they reflected the social history of the time and
were buoyed along by them.
“there is a profound connection
between this development [written standardization and lexical augmentation] and
the historical and social developments of the sixteenth century in which
vernacular literacy played so important a role: the English Reformation, and
the rise of Elizabethan and Jacobean vernacular culture.” (Mugglestone, 2006:143)
The
importance of the vernacular language to the developments of the period has
already been presented in part. In the Elizabethan period, this particular
situation is only enhanced by the growing popularity of the language put in
place by the need for more of the population to be able to read the arguments
for themselves and support one side or another. The growth of the Church of
England was a popular one and could have only gained such support by allowing
more people to be able to read what was being written and as such writing it in
English. In this way religion assists with popularisation of English due to
religious texts printed in English, in plain language easy to read and
understand (Gooden, 2009:78). This could only lead to developments in the
language and more concern for its form and function as has been indicated
above.
This was
the search for a language that people could express themselves in clearly and
concisely and be heard by more and more of the population. This period of
examination and codification by men such as John Hart and Richard Mulcaster saw
a development toward a mature language. “The early modern period in England saw
the first systematic attempts to create, or recreate, a universal language, a
‘perfect’ tongue.” (Mugglestone, 2006:212). This was the development which led
to our modern language as it stands as it was only really cleaned up and assembled
together in the following periods. True, there were still some areas which
needed work, but the language itself, the core elements were developed in the
Elizabethan period.
Conclusion
What has
been presented is an overall look at the history of Early Modern English with a
focus on Elizabethan English. This overall picture allows for the discovery of
overall trends in the history of the language in order to see how it developed
in a very general manner. From this overall picture the specifics of the
history of the language can be put into place and then examined to see how they
fit into the overall picture, this gives the history of the language some
perspective and reveals many of the factors which need to be taken into
account.
The first
part of the investigation was to examine a developmental history of the
language and put it in a historical picture. This took into account the
development from Middle English to Early Modern English and how this
development over the period of time allowed for changes in the language.
Significantly, it was demonstrated that language acts much like any other
historical phenomenon moving in leaps and bounds with connections between what
has come before and what came afterward. What this development also
demonstrated was the unstable nature of the language at the time.
The
influences on a language come both from internal and external sources which is
significant. In the case of EModE, some of the most marked influences can be
laid at the feet of a single author from the later part of the history of the
language, William Shakespeare. This not to say that he was the only one who had
an influence, it is just he had a great influence on the language, more than
most. From external sources it was the classical languages and mostly Latin
which had the most influence on the language. Markers of this can be still
found in the current language.
English had
to crawl up and defeat the influence of the classical languages in order to
exert its influence and establish its dominance. The rise of English as a
language of learning and study took a popular uprising and call for more to be
written in the language. One of the most significant steps in this process was
the translation of the Bible into English. As the writers of the Reformation
found that in order to reach the greatest number of people, English was the
best language to write in, English as a language began and continued to exert
dominance and eventually displace the classical languages. This achievement
could not have come about without the fluid nature of the language and also the
social history of the period.
Elizabethan
English only covers a very small portion of EModE; indeed it only covers about
fifty years or an eighth of the period which the language covers. However, it
is significant as it was during this period that some of the most exciting
developments of the language took place, and also in this time which English
began to exert influence as a mature and developed language. Many of the
greatest advances made for the language were made in this period and thus marks
it as significant. However, it should not be studied in isolation but placed in
the background of the development of the language which took place before it to
reveal the changes made in this period.
Bibliography
Barber, C. (2000) The
English Language: A Historical Introduction, Cambridge University Press,
Cambridge, UK
Crystal, D. (2003) The
Cambridge Encyclopedia of the English Language (2nd ed),
Cambridge University Press, New York, USA
Crystal, D. (2010) Evolving
English: One Language, Many Voices, The British Library, London, UK
Gooden, P. (2009) The
Story of English: How the English Language Conquered the World, Quercus
Publishing Plc, London, UK
Lass, R. (ed.)(1999) The
Cambridge History of the English Language: Volume III: 1476 – 1776,
Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK
Mugglestone, L. (ed) (2006) The Oxford History of English, Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK
Nevalainen, T. (2006) An Introduction to Early Modern
English, Edinburgh University Press, Edinburgh, Scotland
