An Introduction to Middle-English OR Anglo Norman Period (1066-1500) Literature: Geoffrey Chaucer and other important Aspects

  

Introduction:

                                    Middle English is the stage of the English language that developed between the end of the 11th century and the end of the 15th century. It evolved from Old English, which was spoken in England from the 5th to the 11th century. Middle English underwent significant changes in its vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation due to various influences, including the Norman Conquest of England in 1066.

                                       (Anglo-Norman Period)

                              The term" Anglo- Norman" refers to the Old Norman variety used in England after the Norman Conquest. When William the Conqueror, Duke of Normandy,  raided and came King of England, he brought with him the Norman language, a variant of Old French. The Normans, who were of Viking descent but settled in what's now France, assessed their language and culture on the English- speaking population. During the Middle English period, important  erudite  workshop were produced, including the jottings of Geoffrey Chaucer,  frequently considered the" father of English literature". Chaucer's  notorious work" The Canterbury Tales" was written in Middle English and is an important  corner in the development of English literature.   Middle English is an important period in the history of the English language because it marked the transition from the Old English of Beowulf to the Early ultramodern English of Shakespeare and the King James Bible.

Historical Background:

Literal Background Middle English is a complex and dynamic period in the history of the English language. Middle English surfaced after the Norman Conquest of England in 1066, which had a profound impact on the verbal, artistic and social geography of the country.

Some important elements of the historical background of Middle English are:

                                                                 (Norman Conquest 1067-1072)

1.       Norman Conquest (1066): The Norman Conquest led by William the Conqueror marked a turning point in English history. After the Battle of Hastings, the Normans established their control over England. As a result, Old English, the language of the Anglo- Saxons, came into contact with Old Norman( a variant of Old French).

2.       Linguistic contact: The Norman Conquest led to extensive linguistic contact and thousands of words borrowed from Old Norman and Old French into Old English. This infusion of French words significantly enriched the English language and contributed to the development of Middle English.

3.       Transition from Old English: Middle English represents the transitional stage between Old English and Early Modern English. During this period, Old English underwent significant phonological, grammatical, and lexical changes. These changes were the result of a combination of linguistic elements from both Old English and Old Norman.

4.       Loss of inflection: One of the most notable linguistic changes during the transition to Middle English was the loss of many of the inflectional endings that characterized Old English. Middle English nouns, pronouns, and verbs had fewer inflections than their Old English counterparts.

5.       Regional Dialects: Middle English was not a uniform language but included regional dialects that reflected diverse linguistic influences in different regions of England. Dialectical variations were prominent during this period.

6.       Social and Political Changes: The Middle English period witnessed various historical events, including the Hundred Years' War, the Black Death, and the Peasants' Revolt, which had far-reaching social, economic, and political consequences.

Chaucer and The Canterbury Tales:

Geoffrey Chaucer and "The Canterbury Tales" are of immense importance in the realm of English literature and language. Here is an overview of Chaucer and his most famous work, "The Canterbury Tales":

(Geoffrey Chaucer)

·     Geoffrey Chaucer (1340-1400):

·       Geoffrey Chaucer was an English poet, writer and civil servant in the late 14th century. He is often called the "Father of English Literature" for his outstanding contributions to English poetry and his role in popularizing the Middle English language. Chaucer's life spanned a period of great historical and social change in England, including the Hundred Years' War, the Black Death, and the Peasants' Revolt. He held various positions at the English court, which exposed him to a wide variety of people and experiences.

·       Chaucer's works include a wide range of poetry, but he is best known for "The Canterbury Tales". This collection of stories is written in Middle English and is an important work in the development of English literature.

·       "The Canterbury Tales" is a frame narrative consisting of a collection of stories told by a diverse group of pilgrims visiting the shrine of St. Thomas Becket at Canterbury Cathedral. The framework is a storytelling competition, where each pilgrim tells two stories on the way to Canterbury and two on the return journey, with Chaucer himself included as a character.

·       The stories cover a wide range of genres and themes, reflecting the diversity of pilgrims. These include romances, fables (humorous and often silly stories), moral parables, and religious narratives.

·       An important feature of "The Canterbury Tales" is its vivid portrayal of the various social classes and personalities of Chaucer's time. Chaucer's keen observation and satire provide valuable insight into the social and cultural aspects of the late 14th century.

·       "The Canterbury Tales" is significant for using the English vernacular, Middle English, as a storytelling medium. It helped to establish, develop and standardize Middle English as a legitimate literary language.

·       The work remained unfinished, as Chaucer died before finishing it. However, it consists of 24 individual stories, in addition to the usual prologue that introduces the characters, and several connected passages.

·       "The Canterbury Tales" has had a profound and lasting influence on English literature and is considered a seminal text in the canon of English literary classics. It is studied for its linguistic, cultural and literary significance and is a source of inspiration for writers and scholars.

·       In summary, Geoffrey Chaucer and "The Canterbury Tales" are celebrated for their significant role in the development of Middle English literature and their lasting impact on the English literary tradition. Chaucer's skillful storytelling, social commentary, and linguistic contributions make his work an essential part of the study of English literature.

                                                         (Geoffrey Chaucer Contributions)

            MIDDLE ENGLISH VARIATIONS:

·       Middle English exhibited significant linguistic variations and changes regionally and over time, reflecting the dynamic nature of the language during this period. Here are some important variations and changes in Middle English

·       Regional dialects: Middle English was characterized by distinct regional dialects, each with its own variations in pronunciation, vocabulary, and grammar. Notable regional dialects include Kentish, West Midlands, East Midlands, Southern (including London), Northern, East Anglian, and West Saxon. These dialects reflect the geographical and cultural diversity of England.

 

·       Phonetic changes: Middle English saw significant changes in pronunciation, including great vowel changes. This change changed the pronunciation of long vowels and diphthongs. For example, letters such as "a," "e," "i," "o" and "u" undergo changes in pronunciation, leading to differences in pronunciation between dialects.

·       Vocabulary and loanwords: Due to historical events such as the Norman Conquest, Middle English borrowed a large number of words from Norman French, Latin and Norse. This influx of loanwords enriched the English vocabulary and created variation in word choice between dialects.

 

·       Word Order: Middle English showed changes in word order, with a shift from the relatively flexible word order in Old English to a more fixed subject-verb-object (SVO) structure. However, the order of words in the dialects still varies.

 

·       Grammar: The Middle English period saw changes in grammatical features, such as the development of new plural forms and the simplification of verb conjugations. The loss of inflections affected the use of pronouns and adjective endings.

·       Literary influence: Literary works, such as those of Geoffrey Chaucer, contributed to the standardization of certain linguistic features. Chaucer's writings, for example, influenced the development of the East Midlands dialect and contributed to the emergence of a more standardized Middle English.

 

·       Socio-Economic Variation: Socio-economic factors also contributed to linguistic variation. The language used by the upper class, especially in the royal court, is often different from the vernacular spoken by the common people.

·       Orthography: Middle English had no standard spelling, so scribes and writers used different spelling conventions. This resulted in considerable orthographic change in the manuscripts.

·       Continuous change: The Middle English period was a time of transition, and linguistic changes were ongoing. Language was not static, and variation was normal.

 

·       These variations in Middle English were influenced by a combination of factors, including geography, social class, historical events, and contact with other languages. Consequently, the Middle English period was characterized by linguistic diversity and change, paving the way for the development of Early Modern English.

 

      LEGACY OF MIDDLE ENGLISH PERIOD:

 

·       Development of the English Language: Middle English is the bridge between Old English and Early Modern English. It introduced significant linguistic changes, including changes in pronunciation, grammar, and vocabulary. These changes laid the foundation for the development of Modern English, the language we use today.

·       Standardization: During the Middle English period, regional dialects began to merge and influence each other. The East Midlands dialect played a particularly important role in shaping the language. With the decline in dialectal variation, Middle English moved towards a more standardized form, a precursor to Modern English.

·       Chaucer's Influence: Geoffrey Chaucer, often called the "Father of English Literature", had a lasting impact on English poetry and literature through his works, particularly "The Canterbury Tales". Chaucer's writings helped establish Middle English as a legitimate literary language and contributed to the development of English literature.

·       Literary and Cultural Contributions: Middle English literature is rich and varied. Besides Chaucer, it includes a wide range of works, such as "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight," "The Pearl," and "Pierce Plowman." These texts provide valuable insight into the culture, society and values ​​of the Middle English period.

·       Legal and administrative documents: Middle English was used in legal and administrative documents, which contributed to its role in governance and record-keeping. He was instrumental in the development of the English legal system and the establishment of English as the language of law.

·       Influence of French and Latin: Middle English absorbed a large number of loanwords from Norman French and Latin, enriching the English vocabulary. Many of these loanwords remain in use in modern English.

·       Cultural Heritage: Middle English provides a window into the history and cultural heritage of England during the medieval period. It traces the influence of politeness, religion and courtly love on society and literature.

CONCLUSION:

                                         In short, Middle English is an important period that bridges the gap between Old English and Early Modern English. It brought about important linguistic changes, enriched the English language with loanwords, and fostered a flowering of literature, notably through Geoffrey Chaucer's "The Canterbury Tales." The legacy of Middle English is the foundation of modern English language and literature, reflecting the enduring influence of history and culture on our linguistic and literary heritage.