Modern English Period (1500-present)

Modern English Period (1500-present)

Modern English Period (1500-present)

The period of Modern English, which began in the 16th century and continues to the present day, follows the stages of Old and Middle English.

After the introduction of the printing press in England in 1476, the Early Modern English period, also known as Early New English, emerged. This led to the mass production of books and an increase in literacy rates, further standardizing the English language.

During the Renaissance, from the 14th to the 17th centuries, there was a revival of classical learning, which greatly influenced English literature. This period also saw the incorporation of numerous Greek and Latin words into the English language. In 1604, the first English dictionary, A Table Alphabetical of Hard Words, was published.

The King James Bible, first published in 1611, played a significant role in the development of Early Modern English. Its translation from Latin and Greek introduced many new words into the language.

The expansion of the British Empire from the 16th to the 20th centuries had a profound impact on the English language. English became the language of commerce, science, and politics, spreading worldwide through British colonization. This led to the emergence of various English dialects. William Shakespeare's play Romeo and Juliet, first performed in 1597, is a renowned example of Early Modern English literature. Shakespeare is widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language.

The final stage of the English language, Modern English, has been spoken since the 19th century until the present day. While it has its roots in Early Modern English, Modern English has undergone significant changes, particularly in the 20th century with the advent of mass media and technology. New words have been coined to reflect technological advancements, while some older words have fallen out of use.

The changes in the English language during this period occurred from the 15th to mid-17th Century and signified not only a change in pronunciation, vocabulary or grammar itself but also the start of the English Renaissance. The English Renaissance has much quieter foundations than its pan-European cousin, the Italian Renaissance, and sprouted during the end of the 15th century. It was associated with the rebirth of societal and cultural movements, and while slow to gather steam during the initial phases, it celebrated the heights of glory during the Elizabethan Age.

It was William Caxton’s innovation of an early printing press that allowed Early Modern English to become mainstream, something we as English learners should be grateful for! The Printing Press was key in standardizing the English language through the distribution of the English Bible. Caxton’s publishing of Thomas Malory’s Le Morte d’Arthur (the Death of Arthur) is regarded as print material’s first bestseller. Malory’s interpretation of various tales surrounding the legendary King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, in his own words, and the ensuing popularity indirectly ensured that Early Modern English was here to stay.

It was during Henry VIII’s reign that English commoners were finally able to read the Bible in a language they understood, which to its own degree, helped spread the dialect of the common folk. The end of the 16th century brought about the first complete translation of the Catholic Bible, and though it didn’t make a markable impact, it played an important role in the continued development of the English language, especially with the English-speaking Catholic population worldwide. The end of the 16th and start of the 17th century would see the writings of actor and playwright, William Shakespeare, take the world by storm.

Why was Shakespeare’s influence important during those times? Shakespeare started writing during a time when the English language was undergoing serious changes due to contact with other nations through war, colonization, and the like. These changes were further cemented through Shakespeare and other emerging playwrights who found their ideas could not be expressed through the English language currently in circulation. Thus, the “adoption” of words or phrases from other languages was modified and added to the English language, creating a richer experience for all concerned.

It was during the early 17th century that we saw the establishment of the first successful English colony in what was called The New World. Jamestown, Virginia, also saw the dawn of American English with English colonizers adopting indigenous words, and adding them to the English language. The constant influx of new blood due to voluntary and involuntary (i.e. slaves) migration during the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries meant a variety of English dialects had sprung to life, this included West African, Native American, Spanish, and European influences.

Meanwhile, back home, the English Civil War, starting mid-17th century, brought with it political mayhem and social instability. At the same time, England’s puritanical streak had taken off after the execution of Charles I. Censorship was a given, and after the Parliamentarian victory during the War, Puritans promoted an austere lifestyle in reaction to what they viewed as excesses by the previous regime. England would undergo little more than a decade under Puritan leadership before the crowning of Charles II. His rule, effectively the return of the Stuart Monarchy, would bring about the Restoration period which saw the rise of poetry, philosophical writing, and much more. It was during this age that literary classics, like those of John Milton’s Paradise Lost, were published, and are considered relevant to this age!

The Industrial Revolution and the Rise of the British Empire during the 18th, 19th, and early 20th centuries saw the expansion of the English language. The advances and discoveries in science and technology during the Industrial Revolution saw a need for new words, phrases, and concepts to describe these ideas and inventions. Due to the nature of these works, scientists and scholars created words using Greek and Latin roots e.g. bacteria, histology, nuclear, and biology. You may be shocked to read that these words were created but one can learn a multitude of new facts through English language courses as you are doing now!

Colonialism brought with it a double-edged sword. It can be said that the nations under the British Empire’s rule saw the introduction of the English language as a way for them to learn, engage, and hopefully, benefit from “overseas” influence. While scientific and technological discoveries were some of the benefits that could be shared, colonial Britain saw this as a way to not only teach their language but impart their culture and traditions upon societies they deemed as backward, especially those in Africa and Asia.

The idea may have backfired as the English language walked away with a large number of foreign words that have now become part and parcel of the English language e.g. shampoo, candy, cot, and many others that originated in India!