ME —
Reading chapter 12 in Crystal, I was intrigued by his discussion on how extracts from the King James’ version of the Bible have now become common expressions in Modern English. Specifically, it was really interesting to see how specific phrases became integrated into everyday language while others only have a place in biblical texts.
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We ran a bit short of time on 28 February, so I wanted to make a couple of quick points about comparing late ME/Early EMod (or EEMod?).
1. I hope no one thinks I’m trying to promote Wycliffite/Lollard religious ideas. We’re just interested in the language.
B. Please hang on to the translations you produced in class, [...]
“With no standard language to act as a control, Middle English illustrates an age when all dialects were equal… There was no hint of a prescriptive attitude. People wrote differently and spoke differently… but they did not write or speak wrongly.”
- Crystal, 215
“For a glorious 300 years, people could write as they wanted to, and [...]