Early Modern English Early Modern English PeriodPeriod

end of the 15end of the 15thth – beginning of the18th – beginning of the18th centurycentury

The formation of the National English The formation of the National English LanguageLanguage

Historical backgroundHistorical background

• 1485 - ?• Henry Vll (Tudor) crowned king (1485-1509). • Absolute monarchy• Political and economic unification of the country

> development of capitalism• London - a bureaucratic and administrative

centre • One nation >one national language

• The invention of printing gave a great impulse to the formation of a standard language and spread of literacy.

• Popularity of great literary works by Chaucer, who deliberately created in English

• Oxford and Cambridge, two basic centres of education, were very close to London and also propagated London dialect

• Henry VIII's matrimonial difficulties led to the split with Catholicism. Henry made himself head of the Church of England (Latin was ousted from many spheres ).

• Henry VII – commerce, shipbuilding, new lands (Newfoundland, Nova Scotia)

• Henry VIII (1509- 1547) – the Head of the Church in England and of the State

• Elizabeth I (1558- 1603) reigns

• It’s the age of Shakespeare

• East India Company is formed.

• 1603 - James VI of Scotland becomes James I of England uniting the two kingdoms.

• 1611 - 'King James Bible' ('Authorised Version of the Bible' ) is published

• It became the most famous English translation of the scriptures and had a profound impact on the English language.

• 1620 - The Pilgrim Fathers set sail for New England from Plymouth, aboard the 'Mayflower'

• The Crown vs. Parliament• Charles I (1625- 1649) ruled without Parliament, • compromise with Parliament• Great Rebellion (Parliament denied the King

control of the army)• Charles executed (1649)• Parliament in power • Oliver Cromwell (Lord Protector - 1653)

• Charles II returns to the throne (from France). Restoration of monarchy (1660).

Literary English Language ()Literary English Language ()

• English literary norm – at the end of the17th c. (first scientific English dictionaries)

• Samuel Johnson’s Dictionary (1755)

• Late New English – since the 18th c.

Modern English (Late New English)Modern English (Late New English)

• Adoption of a standard of spoken English

• Difference between ME and NE pronunciation but not in spelling.

Geographical expansion of English.Geographical expansion of English.

• English on the British Isles up to the 17th c.

• The beginning of the penetration of English began in the 16th c.

• East India Company

• Expansion of British colonialism.

• 18th c – English in India, Canada

• 19th c. – colonization of Australia

• 20th c. – South Africa