Title The emergence of standard English / John H. Fisher

Published Lexington : University Press of Kentucky, 1996

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Description 1 online resource (208 pages) Contents Introduction -- A language policy for Lancastrian England -- Chancery and the emergence of standard written english -- European chancelleries and the rise of standard languages -- Animadversions on the text of Chaucer -- Chaucer's french: a metalinguistic inquiry -- Piers Plowman and chancery tradition -- Caxton and chancery english -- The history of received pronunciation Summary "In these nine essays Fisher chronicles his gradual realization that Standard English was not a popular evolution at all but was the direct result of political decisions made by the Lancastrian administrations of Henry IV and Henry V - decisions intended to validate their usurpation of the English throne from Richard II and to create a new sense of nationalism. To achieve this standardization and acceptance of the vernacular, these kings turned to their Chancery scribes, who were responsible for writing and copying legal and royal documents." "Henry IV and V also made special use of authors in their promotion of English as the national language, and Chaucer played a central role in this language planning. None of Chaucer's writings, nor those of any English author, had been copied and circulated before Henry IV's accession in 1399. Once the Lancastrians decided to elevate English to the level of a national language, and thus to replace the French and Latin that had previously been the standard language of government and letters, they looked for appropriate models to disseminate." "Chaucer, a relative of the king and a superb writer in the vernacular, began to be labeled as an ideal master of language, and it was Henry V who inspired the fifteenth-century tradition of citing Chaucer as the "maker" of English. Even more important to linking language development to the government establishment, however, is the fact that Chaucer himself composed in the English of the Chancery scribes."--Jacket Bibliography Includes bibliographical references and index Notes Master and use copy. Digital master created according to Benchmark for Faithful Digital Reproductions of Monographs and Serials, Version 1. Digital Library Federation, December 2002. http://purl.oclc.org/DLF/benchrepro0212 MiAaHDL English digitized 2010 HathiTrust Digital Library committed to preserve pda MiAaHDL Print version record Subject Chaucer, Geoffrey, -1400 -- Language SUBJECT Chaucer, Geoffrey, -1400 fast Subject England. Court of Chancery -- History SUBJECT England. Court of Chancery fast Subject English language -- Standardization. English language -- History. Language policy -- Great Britain -- History English language -- Middle English, 1100-1500 -- Standardization English language -- Middle English, 1100-1500 -- History English language -- 19th century -- Standardization FOREIGN LANGUAGE STUDY -- Old & Middle English. English language -- Middle English Employees -- Language English language English language -- Standardization Language and languages Language policy Engels. Standaardtaal. Officiële taal. SUBJECT Great Britain -- History. http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh85056719 Great Britain -- Officials and employees -- Language Great Britain -- History -- House of Lancaster, 1399-1461. http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh85056764 Subject Great Britain Genre/Form History Form Electronic book LC no. 95016425 ISBN 0813171059 9780813171050 0813148464 9780813148465

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