The English language has a long and complex history, with roots that can be traced back to a variety of sources. One significant influence on the development of English is the Scandinavian languages, particularly Old Norse.
Old Norse, also known as Old Scandinavian, was spoken by the Vikings and other Scandinavian peoples during the Middle Ages. It is closely related to the modern Scandinavian languages of Danish, Norwegian, and Swedish, and it had a significant impact on the development of English, especially in the areas of England that were conquered by the Vikings.
One of the most notable ways in which Old Norse influenced English is through the introduction of new vocabulary. Many words in English that are related to seafaring, such as "skiff," "keel," and "cargo," can be traced back to Old Norse roots. Other words, such as "husband," "sky," and "cake," also have Old Norse origins.
Old Norse also influenced the grammar and syntax of English. For example, the use of the word "they" as a singular pronoun can be traced back to Old Norse, as can the use of the word "them" as an objective pronoun. The use of the word "get" in the sense of "obtain" or "acquire" is also derived from Old Norse.
In addition to Old Norse, the Scandinavian languages have continued to influence English in more recent times. For example, many modern English words have been borrowed from Danish, Norwegian, and Swedish, such as "tourist," "smorgasbord," and "Ombudsman."
Overall, the Scandinavian languages have had a significant impact on the development of English, and the influence of these languages can still be seen in the modern English language. From vocabulary to grammar and syntax, the influence of Old Norse and the modern Scandinavian languages on English is undeniable.
My Last Duchess Poem Summary and Analysis
Objects of art and curiosity from the entire world were assembled below one roof and London had become the centre of the world, if not the hub of mankind. The Duke's extreme demand for control comes across as his most noteworthy characteristic. Which writing technique uses clues? However, their central characters have some remarkable similarities that strike a chord with the reader and represent a common theme. Forty-nine out of a total of two hundred twenty-two poems by Robert Browning refer to one of the five fine arts—poetry, music, architecture, painting and sculpture. What is the effect of rhetorical questions in My Last Duchess? Thus the verdict of punishment against her crime — the sentence of death. What language techniques are used in My Last Duchess? There was no help for it. The fact, that narcissism gives a person only negative credits, is supported by numerous great thinkers of all times, who claim that it goes hand in hand with haughtiness, egoism, presumptuousness, and leads its owner to a terrible end.
My Last Duchess
My favour at her breast, 26The dropping of the daylight in the West, 27The bough of cherries some officious fool 28Broke in the orchard for her, the white mule 29She rode with round the terrace—all and each 30Would draw from her alike the approving speech, 31Or blush, at least. The Duke says the Duchess enjoyed the company of other men and implies that she was unfaithful. He expected her to be proud of the name she acquired through him and to flaunt it. Whereas he could not control what she looked at or what she liked in life, he can now control who looks at her by containing her behind a curtain. Bibliography Aker, Don, and David Hodgkinson. Robert Browning maps the mind of the protagonist, leading the readers along the labyrinthine complexities of his psychology; yet, there are blurred areas which readers have chosen to interpret according to their individualistic appreciation.