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Young Heretics

Words Words Words 13: Viking Visibility Week

May 17, 2024
Exploring Middle English in 'Sir Gawain and the Green Knight', the influence of Viking culture on English, Christianization impact on language, character analysis of Gowing, Middle English pronunciation, and Tolkien's use of archaic language in his works.
34:42

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Quick takeaways

  • Viking invasions introduced old Norse words to English, enriching its vocabulary and reflecting historical interactions.
  • English's incorporation of loan words showcases linguistic diversity and evolution, borrowing from languages like old Norse, Latin, and French.

Deep dives

Old Norse Influence on English Language Evolution

Words of old Norse origin like husband, weak, ugly, awkward, dangle, bag, bash, and die have become part of the English language due to the Vikings' influence. These words were brought to England by the Vikings during invasions in the late 700s, gradually integrating into the language. The adoption of old Norse words reflects the historical context of Viking invasions, with some words possibly originating from interactions between the Vikings and the English.

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