Readings for Week 14

This week's readings covered the history of English and how it has evolved over time. I learned about the different periods in history for English:

• 700-1100-Old English (Anglo Saxon)
  1100-1450 or 1500- Middle English
• English spoken since 1450 or 1500 is Modern English

I am glad that I got clarification on which English was spoken at a certain time period. The evolution of English is quite remarkable and it seems that some of the oldest English looks more like a foreign language compared to anything I have read in Modern English. This may be somewhat of a weird question but when thinking of some of the Old English that no one today would be able to read without education in the area, why isn't it consider a different language. I say 'different language' because it is not foreign but it is most certainly different. Perhaps because all English, no matter from what period, has the same roots.

It is helpful to know the history of language when actually teaching it because one can look at the patterns from history with respect to pronunciation and intonation, stress, and rhythm. If a student knows a language such as German or French he or she may be able to use that knowledge to recognize roots in English words and therefore pronounce it correctly. Also, student may gain an understanding of how their old native language and the Old English are similar and different.