The french influence on the english vocabulary in middle english

The French influence on the English vocabulary had its greatest expansion in the period of the Middle English (1150 – 1500). During this time over 10,000 French words were adapted into the English language and about 75 per cent of these are still in use. The reasons for that are, firstly, the bilingualism in England which had been prevailing since the Norman Conquest in 1066. Secondly, the English culture was regarded as inferior, i.e. it had more to gain from the language spoken by the upper classes.1

Table of contents

1. Introduction 3

2. 11th – 15th century 4

2.1 The decline of English 4
2.2 The period of Great Influence 5

3. Language influences 7

3.1. Borrowings into the English language 7
3.2. French loan-words in Middle English 8

4. Middle English dialects 10

5. The loss of native words 12

6. Conclusion 13

7. Bibliography 15