Zoga Shehu

The principles of uniformity in the study of early English

This lesson explains the variations that English language has undergone, in order to reach the
level where we found today. Based on this lesson, some texts in the Middle English were
consistent in their writing and spelling, but on the other hand there were others that were
inconsistent. All this cames as a result of the textual history because many texts have been
written by scribes from different dialects.
This reality was difficult for modern editors therefore they tended to make variations in
spelling, these spellings were appeared as no historical linguistic value. Those variations reduce
the value of the great works as a result of the disordered system of spelling. This period was very
problematic because many editors appeared different opinions and facts, what might have couse
a lot of varieties in Middle English. One posibility that editors stated was that all these variations
came as a consequence of the scribes that did not know English very well or were non native
English speakers. It is thought that the way of writing in Middle English language might have
been the most valuable at that time so how it is explained that modern editors debate for this
problematic when they do not know the crucial things of using that language.
The great scribe Walter Sceat pointed out that the scribes have used strange spellings because
of the use of Old English exemplars and did not recognize some of the Old English letter shapes.
After this he emphasizes that he was an Anglo-Norman who did not speak English natively same
like many other scribes during that period.
After all these assumptions the conclusion was evident that all these variations came as a
result of different dialects used in texts. Dialects differ from each other in pronunciation of the
words especially sound changes which came as a result of speaking proceses. Sound changing
process: the loss of h substituted with w for wh, s for sh and so on. So the conclusion is that
changes in language have happened always.
Prestige as explanation in sociolinguistics
In historical description the notion prestige describes the language changes. It is said that
Standard English is formed because of the need for widespread communication in written form,
the forms adopted were made to have uniformity, precisity and same interpretations. Easier
opportunity to enter the Standard English have terms which belong to the highest social classes
while the lowest social classes terms can not try and enter the Standard English. During this
period a great influence have had the social distinction from which the Standard English derived.



1) Which were the reasons that cause a lot of varieties in Middle English texts, give
some arguments?
.

2) Based on Walter Sceat opinions which were the facts that cause strange spellings in
the Middle English?

3) Explain the notion of prestige, give a general descriptions?