How has the English language evolved over time?
Uncover the evolution of the English language, from varied spellings to standardized pronunciations by Samuel Johnson and Noah Webster.
When discussing the English language, its journey from the spoken form to the written form is quite remarkable.
The contrast between languages such as Spanish and English is particularly noteworthy.
Language Evolution
Spoken English has experienced substantial transformations throughout history.
Originally, it was a Germanic dialect introduced to Britain by the Angles, Saxons, and Jutes.
Over the centuries, it assimilated elements from Norse, Latin, and French due to invasions and cultural exchanges.
The Emergence of Fixed Spelling
During its early days, English lacked standardized spelling.
Individuals would spell words based on their pronunciation, resulting in spelling variations across regions and among individuals.
Language Standardization
In the 18th century, Samuel Johnson published the first comprehensive English dictionary, which greatly contributed to standardizing the language.
This marked a pivotal moment in the development of written English.
Phonetic Pronunciations and Noah Webster
The development of written language involved considering how words were pronounced.
Noah Webster, in particular, played a significant role in advocating for standardized phonetic pronunciations in the United States.
