From Caedmon From Caedmon to Caxtonto CaxtonThomas HoneggerThomas Honegger

t.m.honegger@gmx.det.m.honegger@gmx.de

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Zweites Tolkien Seminar der DTGZweites Tolkien Seminar der DTG FSU 15.-17. April 2005FSU 15.-17. April 2005

Hörsaal 6, Carl-Zeiss-Strasse 3Hörsaal 6, Carl-Zeiss-Strasse 3 Programm Homepage Anglistik oder Programm Homepage Anglistik oder

unter www.tolkiengesellschaft.deunter www.tolkiengesellschaft.de

A (Literary) A (Literary) History of the History of the

English English LanguageLanguage

‘‘Literary’ counterpart to Literary’ counterpart to Prof. H. Diessel’s lecture Prof. H. Diessel’s lecture

History of the English History of the English LanguageLanguage

Recommended ReadingRecommended Reading

Barber, Charles. 2000. Barber, Charles. 2000. The English The English Language. A Historical IntroductionLanguage. A Historical Introduction. . Cambridge: Cambridge University Cambridge: Cambridge University PressPress

Baugh, A.C. & Thomas Cable. 2002. Baugh, A.C. & Thomas Cable. 2002. A A History of the English LanguageHistory of the English Language. 5th . 5th edition. London: Routledge.edition. London: Routledge.

Blake, Norman. 1996. Blake, Norman. 1996. A History of the A History of the English LanguageEnglish Language. London: Macmillan.. London: Macmillan.

Recommended ReadingRecommended Reading Freeborn, D. 1998. Freeborn, D. 1998. From Old English to From Old English to

Standard EnglishStandard English. 2nd edition. London: . 2nd edition. London: Macmillan.Macmillan.

Millward, C.M. 1996. Millward, C.M. 1996. A Biography of the A Biography of the English LanguageEnglish Language. 2nd edition. Boston: . 2nd edition. Boston: Thomson/Heinle.Thomson/Heinle.

Pyles, Thomas and John Algeo. 1993. Pyles, Thomas and John Algeo. 1993. The Origins and Development of the The Origins and Development of the English LanguageEnglish Language. 4th edition. Fort . 4th edition. Fort Worth, Texas: Harcout Brace JovanovichWorth, Texas: Harcout Brace Jovanovich

Recommended ReadingRecommended Reading

The Cambridge History of the The Cambridge History of the English LanguageEnglish Language. Vol. I-V. 1992. . Vol. I-V. 1992. Cambridge: Cambridge University Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.Press.

CaedmonCaedmon

The father of English poetryThe father of English poetry

Bede’s account of Bede’s account of CaedmonCaedmon

Bede (Beda Venerabilis) *637, Bede (Beda Venerabilis) *637, 735735 Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis

Anglorum Anglorum 731731 A History of the English Church and A History of the English Church and

PeoplePeople Book IV, Chapter 24 (A.D. 680)Book IV, Chapter 24 (A.D. 680)

Caedmon’s HymnCaedmon’s Hymn

Nu we sculan herian heofonrices Nu we sculan herian heofonrices weardweardMetodes mihte 7 his modgeMetodes mihte 7 his modgeππonconc,,weorc wuldorfaeder, swa he wundraweorc wuldorfaeder, swa he wundra

gehwaes gehwaesece drihten, ord onstealde;ece drihten, ord onstealde;He aerest gesceop eorHe aerest gesceop eorππan bearnuman bearnumheofon to hrofe, halig scyppend,heofon to hrofe, halig scyppend,ππa middangearde, moncynnes weard;a middangearde, moncynnes weard;ece dryhten aefter teodeece dryhten aefter teodefirum foldan, frea aelmyhtig.firum foldan, frea aelmyhtig.

Caedmon’s HymnCaedmon’s Hymn Now we must praise heaven-kingdom’sNow we must praise heaven-kingdom’s

Guardian GuardianCreator’s might and his mind-thoughtCreator’s might and his mind-thoughtwork Glory-father’s as he of-wonders work Glory-father’s as he of-wonders eacheacheverlasting Lord, beginning established.everlasting Lord, beginning established.He first shaped of-earth for-childrenHe first shaped of-earth for-childrenheaven as roof, holy Creator;heaven as roof, holy Creator;then middle-earth, mankind’s Guardian,then middle-earth, mankind’s Guardian,everlasting Lord, after determinedeverlasting Lord, after determinedfor-men homeland, Ruler almighty.for-men homeland, Ruler almighty.

Caedmon’s poetic outputCaedmon’s poetic output

Creation of the world and of the Creation of the world and of the human race (Genesis)human race (Genesis)

Israel’s exodus from Egypt (Exodus)Israel’s exodus from Egypt (Exodus) Entry into the Promised Land Entry into the Promised Land

(Joshua)(Joshua) Lord’s IncarnationLord’s Incarnation Passion, Resurrection, AscensionPassion, Resurrection, Ascension Judgment DayJudgment Day

English?English?

Nu we sculan herian heofonrices Nu we sculan herian heofonrices weardweardMetodes mihte 7 his modgeMetodes mihte 7 his modgeππonconc,,weorc wuldorfaeder, swa he wundraweorc wuldorfaeder, swa he wundra

gehwaes gehwaesece drihten, ord onstealde;ece drihten, ord onstealde;He aerest gesceop eorHe aerest gesceop eorππan bearnuman bearnumheofon to hrofe, halig scyppend,heofon to hrofe, halig scyppend,ππa middangearde, moncynnes weard;a middangearde, moncynnes weard;ece dryhten aefter teodeece dryhten aefter teodefirum foldan, frea aelmyhtig.firum foldan, frea aelmyhtig.

Old English - English / Old English - English / GermanGerman

nunu wewe sculansculan herianherian heofonheofon ricerice weardweard

now / nunnow / nun we / wirwe / wir shall / sollenshall / sollen ––– ––– / hehr/ hehr heaven / heaven /

(Himmel)(Himmel) rich / Reichrich / Reich warden / Wärterwarden / Wärter

Old English - English / Old English - English / GermanGerman

mihtemihte weorcweorc wunderwunder aerestaerest gesceopgesceop eoreorππanan hrofhrof middangeardmiddangeard

might / Machtmight / Macht work / Werkwork / Werk wonder / Wunderwonder / Wunder ere/ erstere/ erst shaped / schufshaped / schuf earth / Erdeearth / Erde roof / –––––roof / ––––– middle- / middle- /

MidgartMidgart

EnglishEnglish

Nu we sculan herian heofonrices Nu we sculan herian heofonrices weardweardnow we shall praise now we shall praise heavenkingdom’s wardenheavenkingdom’s warden

spelling & pronunciation?spelling & pronunciation? more or less ‘phonetic’ spelling of more or less ‘phonetic’ spelling of

Old English; ‘continental’ Old English; ‘continental’ pronunciationpronunciation

EnglishEnglish

Nu we sculan herian heofonrices Nu we sculan herian heofonrices weardweardnow we shall praise now we shall praise heavenkingdom’s wardenheavenkingdom’s warden

inflections?inflections? sculsculanan – soll – sollenen – shall__ – shall__ ricericess – des Reich – des Reichss – of the kingdom – of the kingdom

EnglishEnglish

He aerest gesceop bearnumHe aerest gesceop bearnumheofon to hrofeheofon to hrofe

syntax?syntax? subject: hesubject: he direct object (acc.): heofdirect object (acc.): heofonon indirect object (dat.): bearnindirect object (dat.): bearnumum

EnglishEnglish

vocabulary?vocabulary? HeHe aerestaerest gesceopgesceop eoreorππanan bearnumbearnum

heofonheofon to to hrofehrofe, , halighalig scyppendscyppend,,ππa a middangeardemiddangearde, , moncynnesmoncynnes weardweard..

continuation: heofon – heaven, eorcontinuation: heofon – heaven, eorππe – e – earth earth

semantic change: scyppan – shape (=> semantic change: scyppan – shape (=> replaced by ‘create’)replaced by ‘create’)

substitution: bearn – childsubstitution: bearn – child

Literature?Literature?

Nu we sculan herian heofonrices Nu we sculan herian heofonrices weardweardMetodes mihte 7 his modgeMetodes mihte 7 his modgeππonconc,,weorc wuldorfaeder, swa he wundraweorc wuldorfaeder, swa he wundra

gehwaes gehwaesece drihten, ord onstealde;ece drihten, ord onstealde;He aerest gesceop eorHe aerest gesceop eorππan bearnuman bearnumheofon to hrofe, halig scyppend,heofon to hrofe, halig scyppend,ππa middangearde, moncynnes weard;a middangearde, moncynnes weard;ece dryhten aefter teodeece dryhten aefter teodefirum foldan, frea aelmyhtig.firum foldan, frea aelmyhtig.

Literature?Literature?

Criteria for literature?Criteria for literature? topic?topic? diction?diction? form?form? informative - relational - expressiveinformative - relational - expressive

Literature!Literature!

Nu we sculan Nu we sculan hherian erian hheofonrices eofonrices weardweardMMetodes etodes mmihte 7 his ihte 7 his mmodgeodgeππonconc,,wweorc eorc wwuldorfaeder, swa he uldorfaeder, swa he wwundraundra

gehwaes gehwaeseece drihten, ce drihten, oord onstealde;rd onstealde;He He aeaerest gesceop rest gesceop eoeorrππan bearnuman bearnumhheofon to eofon to hhrofe, rofe, hhalig scyppend,alig scyppend,ππa a mmiddangearde, iddangearde, mmoncynnes weard;oncynnes weard;eece dryhten ce dryhten aeaefter teodefter teodeffirum irum ffoldan, oldan, ffrea aelmyhtig.rea aelmyhtig.

Alliteration / StabreimAlliteration / Stabreim

Examples from the OE poem Examples from the OE poem BeowulfBeowulf(try to find the alliterating sounds)(try to find the alliterating sounds)

on fagne flor feond treddode,on fagne flor feond treddode, ligge gelicost leoht unfægerligge gelicost leoht unfæger recedes murecedes muππan. Raan. Raππe æfter e æfter ππonon eode yrremod; him of eagum stodeode yrremod; him of eagum stod

Alliteration / StabreimAlliteration / Stabreim

on on ffagne agne fflor lor ffeond treddode,eond treddode, a a // a xa a // a x lligge geigge gellicost icost lleoht unfægereoht unfæger

a a //a xa a //a x rrecedes muecedes muππan. an. RRaaππe æfter e æfter ππonon

a x // a xa x // a x eoeode de yyrremod; him of rremod; him of eaeagum stodgum stod

a a //x aa a //x a

Alliteration / StabreimAlliteration / Stabreim

Basic rule for alliterative long line:Basic rule for alliterative long line: at least one (and at most two) of the at least one (and at most two) of the

stressed syllables of the first half-line stressed syllables of the first half-line alliterate(s) with one (usually the first) alliterate(s) with one (usually the first) stressed syllable of the second half-line:stressed syllable of the second half-line:

a (a) // a xa (a) // a x identical consonants alliterateidentical consonants alliterate all vowels alliterate all vowels alliterate glottal stopglottal stop

Before CaedmonBefore Caedmon

ca. A.D. 680 Caedmonca. A.D. 680 Caedmon A.D. 597 Re-christianisation of England A.D. 597 Re-christianisation of England

through missionaries from Rome through missionaries from Rome (Augustine of Kent and his followers)(Augustine of Kent and his followers)

A.D. 449 Anglo-Saxon invasionA.D. 449 Anglo-Saxon invasion A.D. 409/10 Rome calls back the last A.D. 409/10 Rome calls back the last

remaining legions in Britainremaining legions in Britain A.D. 43 Roman army conquers A.D. 43 Roman army conquers

BritanniaBritannia ca. 500 BC Celtic settlement of Britainca. 500 BC Celtic settlement of Britain

Before CaedmonBefore Caedmon

ca. 500 BC Celtic settlement of Britainca. 500 BC Celtic settlement of Britain=> Britain with a Celtic speaking => Britain with a Celtic speaking populationpopulation

A.D. 43 Roman invasion => Celtic A.D. 43 Roman invasion => Celtic speaking population with Latin speaking population with Latin speaking upper class / administrationspeaking upper class / administration

4th cent. A.D. Christianisation of 4th cent. A.D. Christianisation of Roman BritainRoman Britain

Before CaedmonBefore Caedmon

A.D. 409/410 retreat of the Roman A.D. 409/410 retreat of the Roman occupation/protection force => occupation/protection force => Celtic speaking population, Latin Celtic speaking population, Latin among educated peopleamong educated people

A.D. 449 onwards: Anglo-Saxon A.D. 449 onwards: Anglo-Saxon invasion => conquest of Britain goes invasion => conquest of Britain goes hand in hand with the loss of Roman hand in hand with the loss of Roman culture (towns, roads, literary culture (towns, roads, literary culture, administration)culture, administration)

Before CaedmonBefore Caedmon

Anglo-Saxon invasion => ‘oral’ Anglo-Saxon invasion => ‘oral’ culture (cf. Tacitus’ culture (cf. Tacitus’ GermaniaGermania A.D. A.D. 98)98)

pagan culturepagan culture

English and Indo-English and Indo-EuropeanEuropean

English is a Germanic languageEnglish is a Germanic language the Germanic language group is part the Germanic language group is part

of the Indo-European language of the Indo-European language familyfamily

Evidence for IE Evidence for IE languageslanguages

700 English700 English 500 Armenian500 Armenian 400 Gothic400 Gothic 00 200 Latin200 Latin 400 Classical Sanskrit400 Classical Sanskrit 800 Greek800 Greek 1200 Hittite1200 Hittite 1500 Vedic Sanskrit1500 Vedic Sanskrit 3000 Proto Indo-European3000 Proto Indo-European

Theories about a Theories about a common sourcecommon source

correspondences across languages:correspondences across languages: Engl. Engl. twotwo - Goth. - Goth. twaitwai - Latin - Latin duoduo - -

Greek Greek duoduo - Sanskrit - Sanskrit dvadva Engl. Engl. fishfish - Goth. - Goth. fisksfisks – Latin – Latin piscispiscis – –

Greek Greek ikhthysikhthys Engl. Engl. fatherfather - Latin - Latin paterpater - Greek - Greek

paterpater – Sanskrit – Sanskrit pitarpitar

Theories about a Theories about a common sourcecommon source

James Parson, 1767, James Parson, 1767, The Remains of The Remains of Japhet, being historical enquiries into the Japhet, being historical enquiries into the affinity and origins of the European affinity and origins of the European languageslanguages

languages of Europe, Iran and India languages of Europe, Iran and India derived from a common ancestorderived from a common ancestor

the language of Japhet and his offspring, the language of Japhet and his offspring, who had migrated out of Armenia, the who had migrated out of Armenia, the final resting place of the Ark.final resting place of the Ark.

Theories about a Theories about a common sourcecommon source

Sir William Jones (1796):Sir William Jones (1796): The Sanskrit language [bears to both The Sanskrit language [bears to both

Greek and Latin] a stronger affinity, Greek and Latin] a stronger affinity, both in the roots of verbs and in the both in the roots of verbs and in the forms of grammar, than could have forms of grammar, than could have been produced by accident; [...] no been produced by accident; [...] no philologer could examine all three philologer could examine all three without believing them to have without believing them to have sprung from some common sourcesprung from some common source

Reconstructing the Reconstructing the Common SourceCommon Source

Avis, jasmin varna na a ast, dadarka Avis, jasmin varna na a ast, dadarka akvams, tam vagham garum akvams, tam vagham garum vaghantam, tam, bharam magham, tam vaghantam, tam, bharam magham, tam manum aku bharantam. (Schleicher manum aku bharantam. (Schleicher 1868)1868)

Owis, jesmin wOwis, jesmin weell´́na ne est, dedok’e na ne est, dedok’e ek’wons, tom, woghom gek’wons, tom, woghom gwewerum rum weghontom, tom, bhorom megam, tom, weghontom, tom, bhorom megam, tom, ghgh’e’emonm ok’u bhertontm. (Hirt 1939)monm ok’u bhertontm. (Hirt 1939)

Reconstructing the Reconstructing the Common SourceCommon Source

owis, kowis, kwwesyo wlhna ne est, ekwons esyo wlhna ne est, ekwons espeket, oinom ghe gespeket, oinom ghe gwwrum woghom rum woghom weghontm, oinomkweghontm, oinomkwwe megam e megam bhorom, oinomkbhorom, oinomkwwe ghmenm oku e ghmenm oku bherontm. (Lehmann and Zgusta bherontm. (Lehmann and Zgusta 1975)1975)

A sheep, on which wool not was, saw A sheep, on which wool not was, saw horses, one, a wagon heavy pulling, horses, one, a wagon heavy pulling, one, a load great, one a man swiftly one, a load great, one a man swiftly carrying.carrying.

In search of the IE In search of the IE homelandhomeland

Linguistic evidence:Linguistic evidence: common words for: cold, winter, common words for: cold, winter,

snow, honey, wolf, beech, pinesnow, honey, wolf, beech, pine no common words for: ocean, palm, no common words for: ocean, palm,

elephant, camelelephant, camel

simplified depiction of the development of the Germanic languagessimplified depiction of the development of the Germanic languages

ProtogermanicProtogermanic

NorthgermanicNorthgermanic WestgermanicWestgermanic EastgermanicEastgermanic

Anglo-FrisianAnglo-Frisian Gothic (†) Gothic (†)

Old NorseOld Norse Old EnglishOld English Old High German Old High German

Anglo-NormanAnglo-Norman

Old FrisianOld Frisian Middle EnglishMiddle English Middle High German Middle High German

Old DutchOld Dutch

FrisianFrisian EnglishEnglish German YiddishGerman Yiddish

Scandinavian languagesScandinavian languages Flemish Dutch AfrikaansFlemish Dutch Afrikaans