THE EVOLUTION OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE (Essay Sample)

The Evolution of the English Language
Student’s Name
Department
Course
Institutional Affiliation
Language Change in the English Language
Throughout its history, the English language has seen countless changes and advances, from its beginnings as a Germanic dialect to its current position as a universal tongue. The Great Vowel Shift and the Standardization of the English Language are two noteworthy occurrences that have significantly influenced the development of the English language. The formation of a uniform English accent and pronunciation resulted from the Great Vowel Shift, which occurred between the 15th and the 17th century (Podbean, 2021). On the other hand, a standard form of written English was established as a result of the Standardization of the English Language, which took place from the 15th century until the present (Podbean, 2021; Youtube, 2023). In the parts that follow, we'll go into more depth about these two incidents. and how they have affected the development of the English language.
1 The Big Vowel Change
Between the 14th and the 17th centuries, the English language underwent a profound change known as the Great Vowel Shift. English vowel pronunciation underwent substantial modifications throughout this period, leading to the formation of a standardized English accent and pronunciation (Podbean, 2021). Social and cultural developments, such as the emergence of the middle class and the expansion of trade and commerce, were responsible for this transition. The development of distinctive regional dialects as a result of the Great Vowel Shift also contributed to the development of the current English accent and pronunciation (Youtube, 2023).
2. Language standardization in English
Another significant development in the development of the English language was the standardization of the language. This procedure started in the 15th century and is still in use today. The demand for a uniform written and spoken language, particularly in the context of trade, commerce, and government, led to the standardization of English. The King James Version of the Bible, which contributed to develop a standard form of written English, and the works of William Caxton, who brought the first printing press to England, both had an impact on the standardization process (Podbean, 2021). The broad use and acceptance of English as a world language are both results of language standardization.
1 Effects of the Great Vowel Shift and English Language Standardization
The English language and its development have been significantly impacted by the Great Vowel Shift and the Standardization of the English Language. The Great Vowel Shift contributed to the widespread use of English as a global language by establishing an uniform English accent and pronunciation (Podbean, 2021). The development of trade, commerce, and governance has all been made possible by the standardization of the English language, which has also improved inter-personal communication. Additionally, it has improved the study and perception of the English language by preserving its historical and cultural history (Youtube, 2023).
2 Additional Important Developments in the English Language
The development of the English language was significantly influenced by the printing press's introduction in the 15th century. The widespread production of books and other written materials made possible by the printing press contributed to the English language's spelling and grammar becoming standardized (McIntosh, 2017). Additionally, it was vital to the growth of English literature and contributed to the global dissemination of the language (Printing Press, 2021).
The growth of the English language was further aided by the expansion of the British Empire in the 17th and 18th century. English started to be utilized as a lingua franca by many groups of people throughout this time, and it emerged as the language that was most widely spoken in the colonies (McIntosh, 2017). Due to the English language's broad use, various dialects and accents were created, which contributed create the contemporary English language (British Empire, 2021).
C