A Brief History of the English Language and Literature, Vol. 2

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

21665

Title

A Brief History of the English Language and Literature, Vol. 2

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

A comprehensive historical survey of the English language and literature, tracing its evolution from Anglo-Saxon roots through Norman French influence to modern usage. Ideal for students and teachers seeking a clear, concise overview of linguistic development and literary landmarks.

Summary up to 500 words

J. M. D. Meiklejohn's *A Brief History of the English Language and Literature, Vol. 2* serves as the second part of a comprehensive two-volume set designed for high schools and colleges. This volume focuses on the historical evolution of the English language and the trajectory of English literature from ancient manuscripts through the nineteenth century. The text argues that a historical approach to grammar is essential; understanding the language's past is necessary to explain its current idioms, syntax, and inflections, which evolved from a synthetic, inflected tongue similar to Latin or German. The book traces the English language's growth as an organic entity, originating with the Anglo-Saxon race in the fifth century. Initially, the language was a rough Teutonic speech brought by the Jutes, Angles, and Saxons, distinct from the Celtic languages spoken by the native Britons. Meiklejohn places English within the broader Aryan or Indo-European family, specifically the Teutonic group, which includes High German, Low German, and Scandinavian languages. He identifies English as a Low-German dialect that crossed the ocean to Britain, noting its close relationship with Dutch and Frisian. A central theme is the profound impact of the Norman Conquest in 1066. While the English people retained their native tongue, the ruling class introduced Norman-French, which became the language of the court, law, and literature. Over three centuries, French vocabulary soaked into English, particularly in domains of war, feudalism, law, and the church. Meiklejohn details how English absorbed French terms for concepts like 'chivalry,' 'justice,' and 'beef,' while retaining its Germanic structure and idioms. He highlights the reaction against excessive French influence in the fourteenth century, culminating in the 1362 Act of Parliament that mandated English in law courts. This fusion of French brilliance and Saxon steadfastness reached its literary zenith in the works of Geoffrey Chaucer. The literary history section surveys major periods, emphasizing that while English absorbed thousands of French words, it never adopted foreign habits of speech or idioms. The book aims to provide a clear, brief, and comprehensive foundation for students preparing for examinations and teachers seeking a reliable text, sacrificing minor details to ensure clarity and simplicity for a wide range of educational institutions.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• History
• Literature