Chapter 11: Standardization
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Ursula Schaefer
Abstract
Middle English is usually seen as the period of English which does not have a supraregional standard because French and Latin fulfil this function. However, at least for the 14th and 15th centuries fairly standardized varieties with dialectally bleached forms may be identified. Yet such varieties may only be regarded as “focused” because codification as the sufficient condition for a standard is still absent. By the 15th century, when English is more extensively used in writing, the norm was mainly that of discourse traditions which were taken over from the French and Latin models as external standards. These provided English with means not only to communicate over a geographically wider area, but also to produce texts in an increasing number of registers as these external standards become internalized in English. Middle English standardizations are hence discussed here as a minimization of variation for supralocal use and as maximation of variability to widen the stylistic functions of the vernacular.
Abstract
Middle English is usually seen as the period of English which does not have a supraregional standard because French and Latin fulfil this function. However, at least for the 14th and 15th centuries fairly standardized varieties with dialectally bleached forms may be identified. Yet such varieties may only be regarded as “focused” because codification as the sufficient condition for a standard is still absent. By the 15th century, when English is more extensively used in writing, the norm was mainly that of discourse traditions which were taken over from the French and Latin models as external standards. These provided English with means not only to communicate over a geographically wider area, but also to produce texts in an increasing number of registers as these external standards become internalized in English. Middle English standardizations are hence discussed here as a minimization of variation for supralocal use and as maximation of variability to widen the stylistic functions of the vernacular.
Kapitel in diesem Buch
- Frontmatter I
- Table of Contents V
- Abbreviations VII
- Chapter 1: Introduction 1
- Chapter 2: Middle English: Overview 8
- Chapter 3: Phonology 29
- Chapter 4: Morphology 50
- Chapter 5: Syntax 76
- Chapter 6: Semantics and Lexicon 96
- Chapter 7: Pragmatics and Discourse 116
- Chapter 8: Dialects 134
- Chapter 9: Language Contact: Multilingualism 165
- Chapter 10: Language Contact: French 184
- Chapter 11: Standardization 205
- Chapter 12: Middle English Creolization 224
- Chapter 13: Sociolinguistics 239
- Chapter 14: Literary Language 261
- Chapter 15: The Language of Chaucer 292
- Index 307
Kapitel in diesem Buch
- Frontmatter I
- Table of Contents V
- Abbreviations VII
- Chapter 1: Introduction 1
- Chapter 2: Middle English: Overview 8
- Chapter 3: Phonology 29
- Chapter 4: Morphology 50
- Chapter 5: Syntax 76
- Chapter 6: Semantics and Lexicon 96
- Chapter 7: Pragmatics and Discourse 116
- Chapter 8: Dialects 134
- Chapter 9: Language Contact: Multilingualism 165
- Chapter 10: Language Contact: French 184
- Chapter 11: Standardization 205
- Chapter 12: Middle English Creolization 224
- Chapter 13: Sociolinguistics 239
- Chapter 14: Literary Language 261
- Chapter 15: The Language of Chaucer 292
- Index 307
