An overview of the Latin influence in the Early Modern English period

Abstract

The aim of the present paper is to analyse and examine the influence and the presence of Latin in the English language during all of the Early Modern English period. The Latin language has spread its influence over the centuries in hundreds of different languages from diverse countries and regions in Europe. This paper will focus its attention on the presence and importance of Latin in the Early Modern English period. This particular period spans from approximately 1500 to 1750. First, the impact that the introduction of the printing press in 1476 had on the English vocabulary will be explained. Secondly, it will be presented four characteristics that questioned the eloquence of the English language. Thirdly, an overview of the English Renaissance, which involved a revival of interest in classical learning and literature written in Latin and Greek will be provided. Many of these classics were translated into English causing an increase of loans taken from these languages. The huge amount of Latin borrowings was controversial and created a debate over vocabulary. The fourth part of the paper will deal with ‘inkhorn’ controversy. Also, the English purity and deficiency were disputed. Furthermore, the excessive use of neologisms, also known as inkhorn terms, was part of the debate previously mentioned. Finally, the result of this language discussion will be useful to observe and evaluate the impact of Latin in the English vocabulary and how these loanwords developed