Discuss the effects of Norman Conquest on English language-01735

The Norman Conquest greatly influenced the English language regarding pronunciation, vocabulary and grammar. It also had an impact on the loss of most Old English inflection during this period. The mixture of the two cultures and the two languages came to be known as the Middle English. The changes in the vocabulary involved the loss of a large part of the Old English vocabulary and the addition of many words from French.

The changes in English grammar are defined as a reduction of inflections.

In Old English, the word order was Adjective + Noun, some expressions like Royal Prince, changed into Old French pattern of placing a noun before its describing adjective like Prince Royal. Although nominal, there is evidence for French influence on English word order. ii. French influence on the vocabulary

The French influence is observable on the English vocabulary. Many French words and idioms were introduced into English and are still used. As Normans started governing the churches and the courts of London the change first occurred in the courts and religious services, so these places were influenced first.

For example

The largest single group among the words that were introduced in early was linked with the Christianity and church, where Normans took charge of the clergy ship (service, trinity, savior, virgin, angle etc.).

Words like state, royal (roial), exil (exile), army (armee), navy (navie), enemy (enemi), and more were joint in. French words were borrowed in English because of the ruling class and their fusion.

French influence on spelling

A significant change in spellings took place for the sake of clarity. Old English 'u' changed as 'ou', for example, hus (house) as hous (ow when final).