Level : Master 2

Option : Literature and Civilization

Academic Year : 2023/2024

Module : History of the English Language

Full Name: Arioui Fatima Zahra

Over time, English has changed a lot, especially during two important periods:
Early Modern English (1500-1800) and Late Modern English (1800-present).
This was influenced by key events like the Industrial and Scientific Revolutions.

In Early Modern English, the language became more standardized with fixed
spelling and punctuation. The printing press, introduced by William Caxton in
1476, played a big role, making books more accessible and promoting literacy.
The way people spoke in London became the standard way of speaking English.

During the Renaissance, scholars introduced many Latin and Greek words into
English. Figures like Sir Thomas Elyot, Sir Thomas More, and Ben Jonson
added new words, and William Shakespeare created about 2,000 words still used
today.

In the past, scientific works were in Latin or French because English was
considered imprecise. But during the Great Vowel Shift, people started using
English for intellectual discussions.

The printing press helped standardize English spelling and grammar.

Dictionaries, like Robert Cawdrey's in 1604 and Samuel Johnson's in 1755,
played key roles. Some people, called orthoepists, guided pronunciation and
spelling, sometimes with shaky reasons.

Moving into Late Modern English, new words came in due to the Industrial
Revolution and British Empire expansion. Many words were borrowed from
Latin, Greek, and other languages.

English reached North America through colonization, leading to the

development of American English, which kept some old features. Native
American and Spanish languages also influenced the language in the Americas.

In conclusion, the Industrial and Scientific Revolutions, along with cultural and
historical changes, greatly impacted the English language. From standardizing
Early Modern English to adding new words in Late Modern English, English
evolved to meet the changing world's needs.