Celtic, Latin and Scandinavian Influences

on Old English

CELTIC INFLUENCE

• 500 B.C.• The first people in England. They lived

on the corners of the Island.• Celtic words from 1- the continent, 2-

settlement and 3- Ireland.• The Anglo-Saxons did not integrate

with the Celts.• Words such as: car, slogan, magician,

London, Thames, Buckinghamshire.

Three elements:• 1st Element (ancient Britons)Cume: valley; crag: lake; binn: basket.• 2nd Element (Normans from Gaul)Ribbon; car; button; brain.• 3rd Element (Highlands from Scotland,

Ireland, Wales through literature)Slogan; log; dog.

Latin Influence

There were three Latin influences on Old English:1. Continental borrowing (Latin

influence of the Zero Period)2. Latin through Celtic Transmission

(Latin influence of the First Period)3. The Christianizing of Britain (Latin

Influence of the Second Period)

Continental borrowing (Latin influence of the Zero Period)

• Fourth Century• Direct contact on the continent.• This intercourse was due to trade.

• Words related to war such as battle.

Latin through Celtic Transmission (Latin influence of the First Period)

• No direct contact.• The Celts transmitted words such as

“Ceaster” (in Latin, castra meaning camp)

• Other words: gate, mountain, tower, village.

The Christianizing of Britain (Latin Influence of the Second Period)

• Introduction of Christianity in 597.• St. Augustine’s mission.• Building of churches and

establishment of monasteries.• Words such as: nun, minster, abbot,

candle.

The Benedictine Reform

• Decline of the Church by the end of the eighth century.

• King Alfred • Claim for reform: Dunstan, Athelwold

and Oswald. • Words such as: demon, cedar,

cancer, tiger.

Scandinavian InfluenceThe Viking Age lasted roughly from the middle of the eighth century to the beginning of the eleventh. The Vikings were the Germanic tribes of the Scandinavian Peninsula and Denmark.

First Period: Early raids• 789 A.D• The Vikings: raided and plundered

Britain; travelled in long ships; pillaged and conquered.

Second Period: Extensive settlement• 865 A.D• They descended on England to stay

and destroyed the political organization of the Island.

• King Alfred restored monasteries and churches.

• Treaty of Wedmore.

Third Period: Political adjustment and assimilation• Closed and democratic relationship.• Language of England: mixture of

North Germanic, Scandinavian and Latin borrowings.

• Words such as: they, are, Robertson, Derby, birth, give, happy, both.

SkySkirt

Wing

Ill Kid

THANK YOU !

Bruno, Lucrec

ia