The middle english

The Middle English period started after the Norman invasion of 1066 and lasted to the middle of the 15th century.

• The Middle English period started after the Norman invasion of 1066 and lasted to the middle of the 15th century.
• 1) under the influence of the scandinavian languages during the Scandinavian invasion (8th century - 11th century)
• 2) mainly ,under the influence of Norman French and Latin during the Norman Conquest of Britain.
• It is marked by changes in phonology, morphology, syntax and vocabulary which occured.

Scandinavian influenced mostly English grammar which resulted in a loss of word endings, and a greater reliance on word order, though the sphere of vocabulary was also affected.

• Scandinavian influenced mostly English grammar which resulted in a loss of word endings, and a greater reliance on word order, though the sphere of vocabulary was also affected.
• Norman French ( introduced by Norman invaders) became the language of the rules, the church, the government, the military and aristocracy
• The English learnt French to gain advantage from the aristocracy, while the aristocracy learnt English to make contacts with the local English people

The English was replaced in official documents and other records by Latin and reappeared in the written form only in the 13th century.

• The English was replaced in official documents and other records by Latin and reappeared in the written form only in the 13th century.

Considerable changes in the spelling reflected Norman spelling traditions brought to Britain by French scribes.

• Considerable changes in the spelling reflected Norman spelling traditions brought to Britain by French scribes.
• Features:
• The runic letters þ, đ, ð , æ disappeared. New letters g, j, k , q, v and letter combinations th, sh, ch, gh, ph, qu, ou, ow appeared.
• þ, ð- th e.g. OE wið > ME with, OE þæt > ME that
• The length of vowels was often shown by double letters : OE bök > ME book.
• The letters u and v were often used interchangeably but or bvt