Abstract
The sixteenth century is often hailed as the golden age of the English language, though this becomes an apt description only during the Elizabethan period (Elizabeth I, 1558–1603). Yet we can see during the whole of this century that there was a growing pride and confidence in the English language. During the 200 years after William Caxton set up his printing press in London, the language continued to undergo great changes, especially changes that have social or cultural origins, rather than purely linguistic ones. This period, called Early Modern English, sees the forging of a modern standard English language.
When one turns to vocabulary one cannot but be impressed by the amazing hospitality of the English language. Wave after wave of words entered the language from French, Latin, and Italian ...
Robert Burchfield
So now they have made our English tongue a gallimaufry or hodgepodge of all other speeches. [gallimaufry, hodgepodge = ‘ridiculous medley’]
Edmund Spenser
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Copyright information
© 2006 Jan Svartvik and Geoffrey Leech
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Svartvik, J., Leech, G. (2006). Modern English in the Making. In: English. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/9780230596160_4
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/9780230596160_4
Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, London
Print ISBN: 978-1-4039-1830-7
Online ISBN: 978-0-230-59616-0
eBook Packages: Palgrave Language & Linguistics CollectionEducation (R0)