This document discusses the history and development of the English language from Old English to Modern English. It outlines that Middle English was influenced by the Norman Conquest of 1066 and saw French borrowings enter the language. The two main factors that separated Middle English and Early Modern English were the Great Vowel Shift and the introduction of the printing press in the 15th century. The printing press allowed for standardization and fixation of spelling and grammar. Modern English has continued to evolve and diversify since the 17th century spread of the British Empire, with different varieties emerging worldwide.
13. THE PRINTING PRESS
Many more books could be
published.
Books became cheaper.
More people learned to read.
English needed to be written
in a standard way.
Spelling and grammar
became fixed.
1604: First English
dictionary
William Shakespeare is
considered the father of
Modern English.
14. CHANGES AND DIFFICULTIES
• Many English words are not
pronounced as they used to be.
• A person born in 1400 would have
difficulty understanding a person
from the 1500.
• Very careful listening and analysis
of written documents were done for
better understanding.
24. Two main factors that influenced the language and served to
separate Middle and Modern English were the Great Vowel Shift
and the Printing press.
The Middle Period French had an influence in English due to the
10, 000 words that were borrowed from French into English.
The English language is considered one of the most important
languages around the world, considered by many people an
universal language that allows communication between thousands
of people all over the world.
