Latin Influence On The English Language

Latin Influence on the English Language
The Latin influence on the English Language can be divided into three
distinct periods of development:
1. The zero period: This refers to the

early contact between the Roman and The Three Phases of Latin Influence:
the Germanic world before the advent
1. The Zero Period: Before 4th
of the Germanic tribes in England in
and around the 4th Century CE. Century CE outside Britain
2. The First Period: This refers 2. The First Period: From 1st to
to the phase of interaction the 4th Century CE in Britain
between the Celts and Romans 3. The Second Period: From the
during the time of Roman Benedictine Reform (6th
occupancy of Britain between 57 Century CE) to the Norman
CE and the middle of the 4th Conquest (circa 11th Century
Century CE, when the Romans CE)
begin to leave Britain
3. The Second Period: Refers to the time of Christianisation of
Britain by the Benedictine Reform, which begins in 597 CE with
the arrival of St. Augustine and continues till the Battle of
Hastings in 1047, resulting in the Norman Conquest
The Zero Period
The contact between Rome and Germanic tribes go back to well before
the arrival of the Angles, Saxons and Jutes on the English shores.
(Remember Asterix!)The great migration of the Germanic tribes began in
the 4th Century CE and continued intermittently till the middle of the
7th century CE. There were several millions of Germanic people who
inhabited Roman territory before the 4th century CE. Moreover, as many
as eight Roman highways crisscrossed Germania, and there were many
churches in Gaul which adhered to a Roman Catholic liturgy which was
based in Latin. So, an extensive Roman influence made its way into the
Germanic vocabulary even before a few tribes entered the British lands
through the great Germanic migration that started from 4th century CE.
The Roman words may have entered through traders, churchmen, and young
people who made their way back after visiting parts of the Empire. The
glory, luxury and splendor of the Roman Empire at its height held
great attraction for everyone who came in touch with it. It was
impossible to resist. When these Germanic tribes – the Angles, Saxons
and the Jutes started to reach the British shores in search of new
homelands – the already carried with them a wealth of Roman words.
Not surprisingly, the earliest Latin words found in the Germanic

language were related to war and trade. Camp (battle), segn (banner), pil
(javelin), weall (wall) streat (street) and mil (mile) were some of the earliest Latin
words to enter the Germanic vocabulary and they clearly had military
connotations. Trade related words were more numerous. Some prominent examples
are ceap (cheap, bargain), mangung (trade) and mangere (monger) were related
directly to trade. Others were pund (pound), mynet (mint, coin) and seam (burden,
load). Wine was the most important trade commodity was wine – so we had win
(wine), eced (vinegar) and flasce (flask, bottle).
Latin through Celtic Transmission

Contrary to the above situation, the influence of Latin among the
Celtic people and their vocabulary was little. The Romans occupied
Britain from 55 CE to roughly 4th Century CE. Given that it was a
fairly long period of occupation, one would expect a higher degree
of linguistic influence. Yet, that was not the case. It is possible
that the Celts inherited around 600 Roman words in their lexica, but
the relations between the native Celts and the invading Anglo Saxons
was never smooth, and the words never got transferred to the English
language. The only exceptions are the place named that still
retained their Latin origin. Some are Chester, Colchester, Gloucaster,
Manchester, Winchester and Lancaster – which were all sites of Roman occupation,
since the Latin for camp is castra. Munt (mountain), port from portus and wic (vic
– Latin for village) are some other Latin words that entered the English language
during the First Period.
Latin through Christianisation of Britain
(St. Augustine of Canterbury)
The conversion of Britain to Roman Christianity began in 597 CE with

the arrival of St. Augustine to the country at the behest of Pope
Gregory the Great. Although they were not the first to introduce
Christianity in England, as the Irish monks were already active much
earlier laying down the great monasteries of Lindisferne and Jarrow,
yet it was with the Benedictine reform brought in by the advent of
Augustine that conversion in Britain was put on a systematic
footing. The period from the introduction of Roman Christianity in
Britain to the Battle of Hastings is a period of nearly five
centuries. Over this period, Latin permeated the vocabulary in
English in phases, the most fertile being the first two centuries
after the arrival of Augustine. It became somewhat marginalized after
the Danish attack of 850 CE, and was revived in a different garb in
the Renaissance time, and with Reformation. The words that entered
English during this phase were mostly of a religious nature. The early
words were directly connected to the Church, as they introduced
concepts that were hitherto unknown to the people. Some such words are
alms, cowl, deacon, candle, epistle, humn, psalm, psalter, relic, rule, synod, temple
and tunic. More interestingly, there were adoption of household words like beet,
lentil, millet, cap, sock, silk, purple, doe, oyster and the noun cook. Plants with
medicinal quality like box, pine, aloes, balsam, lily, mallow, myrrh, rue and the
general word plant entered during this period from Latin.
Although it is easy to conclude from the above survey that Latin by

bringing in new concepts, brought in the entire vocabulary along
with it, yet it must be remembered that this invasion was not
complete. Whenever possible, the Anglo Saxons drew on their own
Germanic lexica to express foreign ideas. God and Church are two
prominent examples that drew from the native Anglo Saxon and the
Greek lexica respectively. However, it goes without saying that for
a long time Latin – the language of culture and refinement of
ancient Europe, exerted a telling influence on the English language
contributing significantly to its richness.
Probable Long Questions:
1. Write a note on the influence of Latin on the English language

2. The Latin Influence on the English language went beyond the
religious to infiltrate more intimate aspects of life. Discuss.
Short answer type questions:
1. Note some household words that came to English from Latin

2. Name some religious terms that came to English from Latin.
3. Name some military terms to come to English from Latin.
4. Name some terms related to trade that came to English from Latin.

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Latin Influence on the English Language

1. The zero period: This refers to the

The Zero Period

Not surprisingly, the earliest Latin words found in the Germanic

Latin through Celtic Transmission

Latin through Christianisation of Britain

(St. Augustine of Canterbury)

The conversion of Britain to Roman Christianity began in 597 CE with

Although it is easy to conclude from the above survey that Latin by

Probable Long Questions:

1. Write a note on the influence of Latin on the English language

Short answer type questions:

1. Note some household words that came to English from Latin

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