Language change is always happening and new words are always being introduced to the language, words being added mainly start off as slang but then work their way into the language and are recognisable by a very large variety of people. Words such as “Diss” and “minger”, are used by a lot of people aged 12 – 18, it is quite possible that in time, one of these may be added to the English dictionary.
It is important to bring new words into our lexicon as new technologies are invented, new diseases develop, new cures created, etc… Other words added in the last century include “computer”, “television” and “radio”. If new words were not created to compensate for the developments and discoveries, we would be left saying things like “machine for performing calculations”, “device for receiving streaming visual and audio”, “instrument for transmitting and receiving electromagnetic waves”. I believe it is safe to assume we would rather have one word that means what ten words could describe.
As well as the introduction of words, emoticons, and the spelling and pronunciation of words changing, their meanings can also change. A “creek” in British English, means ‘a tidal inlet of the ocean, or a large river’ but American English uses it in the sense of any small stream. Other words have different meanings, depending on the context in which they are used (e.g. “a fine day”, “fine silk”, “she is fine”).
Looking further back at the English language, we can see that it is a mongrel language, comprised and influenced by many other languages.
There are some obvious traces of the Celtic influence upon our language, words such as “mug, post, dam, clout” still remain in use today, as well as some place names “Avon”, “York”, “Thames” and “Leeds” being examples.
After this was the Roman occupation. There was some Latin influence on the language at this point, however the major Latin influences on English comes later. Many place names, such as “Manchester”, “Lancaster”, “Chester” and “Worchester” derive from this period.
A few other words of Latin origin that survive, such as “street”, “port”, “wine” and “wall” may also date from this period.
Because of the Germanic invasions, the Celtic language was displaced except in Wales, Scotland, Cornwall and Ireland. Old English was developed from the dialects of the Germanic invaders. This was the true beginning of the English language; many of the basic grammatical words derive from this period (the, in, was). The Latin alphabet was adopted and Latin was used by the educated elite and by the church.
The Viking language (Norse) also played a part in developing the language we have today. Many Norse words have passed into standard English “get”, “take”, “angry”, “awkward”, “they” and “she”.
After this, the Normans invaded, creating what we know as the Middle English period. There was an inevitable flow of vocabulary from Norman French (based on Latin) into English. English not only survived, but was enriched by the French language. This explains why we have the words ‘cow’ and ‘beef’. ‘Beef’ is a derivative from ‘le boeuf’, which is a French word, as is ‘le porc’ which is where ‘pork’ derived from, we also have the word ‘pig’. Around this time was the start of the Great Vowel Shift.
When William Caxton invented the printing press, gradually there was a standard form of English developing. Before, people were spelling phonetically, and so, different accents had different spellings. This period is known as Early Modern English. Many more words entered the language than at any other period.
New words were needed for new concepts and an influx of French and Latin words were the result of this.
Other words were brought in from the languages of Africa and Asia due to world exploration.
At this time, the Great Vowel Shift was completed and the language began to stabilise.
Around the 1700’s, the dictionary was introduced. Writers tried to fix spellings and define word meanings. This led to vocabulary and grammar being defined, rules laid down for correct language usage and a model for English dictionary writers.
Following this, the development of Rail, colonial expansion, the spread of literacy and education along with printing extended the access to standard and written forms of English.
The English Language is always developing, changing and growing, it truly is a living language.
