Language Contact in the second phase of the French Influence on Middle English

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• Introduction
• Languages in Contact
  • What is Language Contact?
  • How do languages come into contact?
  • What happens to languages in contact?
• French influence on the English language
  • First Contact Situation
    • Norman Invasion
    • French Aristocracy Background
    • Norman French versus English
  • Loss of Normandy
  • Second Contact Situation
    • Re-establishment of English
      • Foreign Invasion & Opposition
      • Decline of French
    • Norman French versus Central French
• Conclusion

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This research paper investigates the historical relationship between French and English from 1066 to 1400, focusing specifically on the impact of Central French during the second phase (1250-1500) when a significant amount of vocabulary was adopted. The paper aims to explore the reasons behind the prevalence of French influence in the English language, despite English's efforts to regain its prestige. This paper examines the different types of language contact and analyzes the impact of the Norman Conquest on the English language, particularly the social and linguistic consequences of the French aristocracy’s influence.

• Language contact and its various types
• The influence of French on the English language
• The role of the Norman Conquest and its lasting impact
• The social and linguistic dynamics of language change
• The adoption of vocabulary from Central French

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

• Introduction: This chapter introduces the topic of French influence on the English language and outlines the research question. It sets the stage by exploring the historical context of the Norman Conquest and its implications for the English language.
• Languages in Contact: This chapter delves into the broader concept of language contact, examining its different forms, including immigration, military conquest, and other situations where languages interact. It explores the processes involved in language contact and how languages influence one another.
• French influence on the English language: This chapter focuses specifically on the historical events leading to the French influence on the English language. It examines the impact of the Norman Invasion and the introduction of Norman French as the dominant language in England. The chapter also examines the loss of Normandy and the subsequent introduction of Central French, which had a significant influence on the English vocabulary.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

The research paper explores key concepts such as language contact, historical linguistics, the Norman Conquest, French influence, Central French, vocabulary adoption, social and linguistic dynamics, and the history of the English language.