Old English vs Middle English: Difference and Comparison

Old English, spoken from the 5th to 11th centuries, featured inflections and a complex grammar system influenced by Germanic languages. Middle English, evolving from the 11th to 15th centuries, saw the rise of French influence post-Norman Conquest, resulting in a simplification of grammar and a significant expansion of vocabulary.

Key Takeaways

1. Old English and Middle English are two historical stages of the English language, with Old English predating Middle English.
2. Old English is characterized by its Germanic roots, while Middle English reflects the influence of French and Latin.
3. While Old English is largely unintelligible to modern English speakers, Middle English is more recognizable but differs significantly from contemporary English.

Old English vs Middle English

Old English, also known as Anglo-Saxon, was spoken in England from the 5th to the 11th centuries AD. It is characterized by highly inflected grammar and a vocabulary heavily influenced. Middle English was spoken in England from the 11th to the late 15th centuries AD, following the Norman Conquest of 1066. Middle English saw the introduction of many French and Latin loanwords.

Comparison Table

Feature	Old English (450-1100 AD)	Middle English (1100-1500 AD)
Language Family	West Germanic	West Germanic
Influences	Mainly Germanic languages, some Latin	Heavily influenced by Norman French, some Scandinavian
Pronunciations	More complex, closer to Proto-Germanic	More simplified, closer to Modern English
Grammar	Highly inflected with many noun and verb forms	Reduced inflection compared to Old English
Vocabulary	Mostly Germanic words	Increased vocabulary from French and Scandinavian
Writing System	Runic alphabet (earlier) and an adapted Latin	Adapted Latin alphabet with some modifications
Literary Works	Beowulf, Anglo-Saxon Chronicle	Canterbury Tales by Chaucer, Gawain and the Green Knight

What is Old English?

Old English, also known as Anglo-Saxon, refers to the earliest form of the English language spoken and written in England between the 5th and 11th centuries. It developed from the Germanic dialects brought to Britain by Anglo-Saxon settlers, primarily from present-day Germany and Denmark, following the decline of Roman influence in the region. The earliest surviving Old English texts date back to around the 7th century.

Linguistic Characteristics

1. Germanic Roots: Old English was heavily influenced by the Germanic languages of the early Anglo-Saxon tribes. It retained many grammatical features characteristic of Germanic languages, such as a complex system of inflections for nouns, pronouns, adjectives, and verbs.
2. Anglo-Saxon Runes: In its earliest written form, Old English was recorded using a runic alphabet known as the Anglo-Saxon Futhorc. However, with the introduction of Christianity to England in the 7th century, the Latin alphabet gradually replaced the runic script.
3. Vocabulary: Old English had a relatively small vocabulary compared to modern English, with many words that have since become obsolete or evolved in meaning. It primarily consisted of words derived from Germanic roots, although it also borrowed words from Latin, Greek, and Celtic languages through contact with neighboring peoples.

Evolution and Decline

Old English underwent significant changes over time, influenced by various historical and cultural factors. The most notable of these was the Norman Conquest of England in 1066, which brought about profound changes to the English language.

What is Middle English? 

Middle English refers to the stage of the English language spoken and written in England from approximately the 11th to the late 15th century. It developed from Old English following the Norman Conquest of 1066 when the Normans, led by William the Conqueror, invaded England and brought Norman French as the language of the ruling class. Middle English represents a period of linguistic transition, blending Old English with Norman French influences.

Linguistic Characteristics

1. French Influence: One of the most significant characteristics of Middle English is the influence of Norman French. Following the Norman Conquest, French became the language of the aristocracy and administration in England. As a result, Middle English absorbed a considerable number of French words, especially in areas of law, government, fashion, and culinary arts. This influence also affected syntax and grammar, leading to simplification and regularization of verb conjugations and a shift towards the subject-verb-object word order.
2. Orthographic Changes: Middle English saw significant changes in its orthography (spelling system) compared to Old English. While Old English was primarily written in the Latin alphabet, Middle English spelling began to reflect the phonetic changes that occurred in the spoken language. However, spelling remained inconsistent and varied widely across different regions and texts.
3. Dialectal Variation: Middle English was characterized by regional dialects, each with its own distinctive features in pronunciation, vocabulary, and grammar. The most notable dialectal variations were the Northern, Midlands, and Southern dialects, with the London dialect eventually becoming the basis for standard English.

Evolution and Standardization

During the Middle English period, English underwent significant standardization and began to emerge as a unified literary language. Influential texts such as Geoffrey Chaucer’s “The Canterbury Tales” played a crucial role in establishing the London dialect as the literary standard. Additionally, the invention of the printing press in the late 15th century facilitated the spread of standardized English spelling and grammar.

Main Differences Between Old English and Middle English

• Language Base:
  • Old English: Derived primarily from Germanic languages with influences from Latin and Celtic.
  • Middle English: Transition period with significant influence from Norman French due to the Norman Conquest of 1066.
• Grammar:
  • Old English: Highly inflected language with complex grammatical structures and extensive use of noun and verb inflections.
  • Middle English: Simplification of grammar with reduced inflections, regularization of verb conjugations, and adoption of subject-verb-object word order influenced by Norman French.
• Vocabulary:
  • Old English: Vocabulary primarily of Germanic origin, with limited borrowing from Latin, Greek, and Celtic languages.
  • Middle English: Significant borrowing from Norman French, especially in areas of law, government, fashion, and culinary arts, leading to an expanded vocabulary and enrichment of language.
• Orthography:
  • Old English: Initially written in the Anglo-Saxon Futhorc runic script, later transitioned to the Latin alphabet.
  • Middle English: Orthographic changes reflecting phonetic shifts in pronunciation, although spelling remained inconsistent and varied across regions and texts.
• Dialectal Variation:
  • Old English: Regional dialects existed but were not as pronounced or influential as in Middle English.
  • Middle English: Characterized by significant regional dialectal variations, with the London dialect eventually becoming the basis for standardization.

References

1. https://repository.upenn.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1773&context=pwpl