Hello, I have an essay about the history of English that is due tomorrow for school, and I wouldn’t mind some help proofreading it! The assignment is to take a stance as to what the most important language is that helped in forming English. I chose Latin, since it was a less popular stance, and I do believe now that Latin is the most important. If you see any errors in absolutely anything at all, please let me know! Thank you, and I hope you enjoy.
The Importance of Latin in the English Language
Have you ever watched an important video on your portable phone on your terrace while getting a mani-pedi? Well, you would not be able to explain this to your friends easily without Latin. Sure, that example may not be very realistic, but when you start comprehending just how many words you use with Latinate roots, you will be amazed. Latin is the most important language that contributed to the formation English.
First off, English words with Latin roots have a sophisticated tone to them. Latin based words are more likely to be found in formal settings, like a scientific study or in politics. Longer words that are not commonly used in everyday speech are commonly considered to be more sophisticated. Lynch stated, “...words derived from the Germanic ancestors of English are shorter, more concrete, and more direct, whereas latinate words are longer and more abstract…” Frequently, longer words are associated with formality and intelligence. For example, take the word “thinking.” It has Anglo-Saxon origins and is used commonly in informal atmospheres. Now, take the Latin-based word “cogitation.” They both have a similar meaning behind them but “cogitation” is practically not used in informal settings (Lynch). A similar happening is apparent with deer, which is Anglo-Saxon. The Latin-based word for deer is venison (Engel). In Britain in 1066, William the Conqueror made the official language French (which is Latin based). The upper class, those thought to be more sophisticated and intelligent, adapted the language, while servants and farmers stuck to Old English. Even in the 11th Century, a language directly formed from French was more formal and intelligent. To conclude, words which are Latin-based have greatly expanded the ways that we can talk in a formal setting, and, sometimes, even in an informal setting.
Lastly, Latin-based words make verbal communication between English and other Latin-based languages easier. Have you ever been cogitating about how there are so many languages that were formed from Latin, like Spanish, French, and Italian, and they are able to understand bits and pieces since their languages are all Latin-rooted? Yes, I know, the languages have had their own evolutions in the years they have been around, but they still have a common point of descendancy. According to Sala and Posner, “...Romance languages share a good proportion of basic vocabulary...and a number of similar grammatical forms.” The words shared between Romance languages are enough for conversation. I once had a substitute teacher who taught French normally, but he was substituting for my Spanish class. He came in with little to no knowledge of Spanish and was able to teach us our lesson for the day without much trouble. He was even able to translate words for students who were having issues. With Latin-based words in English, it eases the coherency between English speakers and Romance language speakers. Before Google and translation dictionaries were so widespread, communication between multiple languages would be seemingly impossible, but by looking deeper into the history of these languages, you will begin to see that it was not as hard as you would expect it to be (Sala and Posner). Without any Latin-based words in English, verbal communication would be nearly impossible between English speakers and Romance language speakers.
Latin has added important aspects to the English language that Anglo-Saxon, among others, just couldn’t do. Without Latin, English would not be the amazing, potentially universal language that we find it to be today.
Works Cited
Crystal, David. “The Story of Old English”. English: History, Diversity and Change.
The Open University, 2006. London.
Engel, Elliot. A Light History of the English Language. Media Consultants, 1998.
Raleigh, NC.
Graddol, David; Leith, Dick; and Swann, Joan. “A Confusion of Names”. English:
History, Diversity and Change. The Open University, 2006. London.
Lynch, Jack. “Latinate and Anglo-Saxon Diction.” Lynch, Literary Terms Latinate and Anglo-Saxon Diction, Rutgers University, 3 Aug. 1999, andromeda.rutgers.edu/~jlynch/Terms/latinate.html.
Sala, Marius, and Posner, Rebecca. “Romance Languages.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 29 Apr. 2016, www.britannica.com/topic/Romance-languages.
