TEXT 109: John Hart’s An Orthografie, 1569- howe euerye language ought to bee written (facsimile)

Original text

Which is vppon the consideration of the seuerall voices of the speach, and the vse of their seuerall markes for them, which we cal letters. But in the moderne & present maner of writing ( as well of certaine other languages as of our English) there is such confusion and disorder, as it may be accounted rather a kinde of ciphring, or such a darke kinde of writing, as the best and readiest wit that euer hath bene, could, or that is or shalbe, can or may, by the only gift of reason, attaine to the ready and perfite reading thereof, without a long and tedious labour, for that it is unfit and wrong shapen for the proportion of the voice. Whereas the new maner hereafter ( thoughe it seeme at the first very straunge, hard and vnprofitable) by the reading only therof, will proue it selfe fit, easie and delectable, and that for whatsoeuer English may be written in that order.


Modern translation

Which is upon the consideration of the several voices of the speech, and the use of their several marks for them, which we call letters. But in the modern and present manner of writing ( as well of certain other languages as of our English) there is such confusion and disorder, as it may be accounted rather a kind of ciphring, or such a dark kind of writing, as the best and cleverest brain that has ever been, could, or that is or shall be, can or may, by the only gift of reason, attained to the ready and perfect reading thereof, without a long and tedious labour, for that it is unfit and wrong shaped for the proportion of the voice. Whereas the new manner hereafter ( thought it seems at the first very strange, hard and unprofitable) by the reading only thereof, will prove itself fit, easy and delectable, and that for whatsoever English may be written in that order.

TEXT 110: John Hart’s new alphabet and spelling system (facsimile)

DIFFICULT WORDS

Meet: suitable, correct.
Rude: common, vulgar.

CLASS NOTES: John Hart

He wanted to create a spelling reform but he was not succesful at all because English is one of the few languages which has spelling competition. For example in Spanish, you can pronounce any word if you know the spelling system, but in English that is impossible.

SECOND PORTFOLIO: MODERN TRANSLATION, PHONOLOGICAL TRANSCRIPTION AND METRICAL ANALYSIS OF CHAUCER'S CANTERBURY TALES

CHAUCER’S CANTERBURY TALES FRAGMENT

WORD FOR WORD TRANSLATION

GP 531 A trewe swynkere and a good was he,
A true worker and a good was he,

GP 532 Lyvynge in pees and parfit charitee.
living in peace and perfect charity.

GP 533 God loved he best with al his hoole herte
God loved he best with all his whole heart

GP 534 At alle tymes, thogh him gamed or smerte,
at all times, though him pleased or pained,

GP 535 And thanne his neighebor right as hymselve.
and then his neighbour right as himself.

GP 536 He wolde thresshe, and therto dyke and delve,
He would thresh, and moreover ditch and dig,

GP 537 For Cristes sake, for every povre wight,
for Christ’s sake, for every poor person,

GP 538 Withouten hire, if it lay in his myght.
without payment, if it lay in his power.

GP 539 His tithes payde he ful faire and wel,
His tithes paid he full pleasantly and well,

GP 540 Bothe of his propre swynk and his catel.
both of his own work and his property.

GP 541 In a tabard he rood upon a mere.
In a tabard he rode upon a mare.

GP 542 Ther was also a REVE, and a MILLERE,
There was also a reeve, and a miller,

GP 543 A SOMNOUR, and a PARDONER also,
a summoner, and a pardoner also,

GP 544 A MAUNCIPLE, and myself -- ther were namo.
a manciple, and myself -- there were no more.

GP 545 The MILLERE was a stout carl for the nones;
The miller was a stout fellow for the purpose;

GP 546 Ful byg he was of brawn, and eek of bones.
very strong he was of muscle, and also of bones.

GP 547 That proved wel, for over al ther he cam,
That proved well, for over all there he came,

GP 548 At wrastlynge he wolde have alwey the ram.
at wrestling he would have always the prize.

GP 549 He was short - sholdred, brood, a thikke knarre;
He was stoutly built, broad, a stout fellow;

GP 550 Ther was no dore that he nolde heve of harre,
there was no door that he would not lift off its hinges,

GP 551 Or breke it at a rennyng with his heed.
or break it at a running with his head.

GP 552 His berd as any sowe or fox was reed,
His beard as any sow or fox was red,

GP 553 And therto brood, as though it were a spade.
And to it broad, as though it was a spade.

GP 554 Upon the cop right of his nose he hade
Upon the tip right of his nose he had

GP 555 A werte, and theron stood a toft of herys,
A wart, and thereon stood a tuft of hairs,

GP 556 Reed as the brustles of a sowes erys;
Red as the bristles of a sow ears;

GP 557 His nosethirles blake were and wyde.
His nostrils black were and wide.

GP 558 A swerd and a bokeler bar he by his syde.
A sword and a buckler bore he by his side.

GP 559 His mouth as greet was as a greet forneys.
His mouth as great was as a great furnace.

GP 560 He was a janglere and a goliardeys,
He was a gossip and a buffoon,

GP 561 And that was moost of synne and harlotries.
And that was most of sin and obscenity.

GP 562 Wel koude he stelen corn and tollen thries;
Well could he steal corn and take away three times;

GP 563 And yet he hadde a thombe of gold, pardee.
And yet he had a grave of gold, indeed.

GP 564 A whit cote and a blew hood wered he.
A white coat and a blue hood wore he.

GP 565 A baggepipe wel koude he blowe and sowne,
A bagpipe well could he blow and up and down,

GP 566 And therwithal he broghte us out of towne.
And with that he brought us out of town.

GP 567 A gentil MAUNCIPLE was ther of a temple,
A noble servant was there of a temple,

GP 568 Of which achatours myghte take exemple
Of which purveyor might take example

GP 569 For to be wise in byynge of vitaille;
For to be wise in buying of supplies;

GP 570 For wheither that he payde or took by taille,
For whether that he paid or took by credit,

GP 571 Algate he wayted so in his achaat
He considered so in his purchase

GP 572 That he was ay biforn, and in good staat.
That he was always in front, and in good state.

GP 573 Now is nat that of God a ful fair grace
Now is not that of God a full fair grace

GP 574 That swich a lewed mannes wit shal pace
That such a lewd man wit shall pace

GP 575 The wisdom of an heep of lerned men?
The wisdom of an heap of learned men?

GP 576 Of maistres hadde he mo than thries ten,
Of masters had he more than three ten,

GP 577 That weren of lawe expert and curious,
That were of law expert and curious,

GP 578 Of which ther were a duszeyne in that hous
Of which there were a dozen in that house

GP 579 Worthy to been stywardes of rente and lond
Worthy to be stewards of rent and land

GP 580 Of any lord that is in Engelond.
Of any lord that is in England.


MODERN TRANSLATION

He was a true and good worker,
living in peace and perfect charity.
He loved God best with all his whole heart
at all times, whether it pleased or pained him,
and then his neighbour right as himself.
He would thresh, and moreover ditch and dig,
for Christ’s sake, for every poor person,
without payment, if it lay in his power.
He paid his tithes full pleasantly and well,
both of his own work and his property.
He rode in a tabard upon a mare.
There was also a reeve, and a miller,
a summoner, and a pardoner also,
a manciple, and myself -- there were no more.
The miller was a stout fellow for the purpose;
very strong he was of muscle, and also of bones.
That proved well, for over all there he came,
at wrestling he would have always the prize.
He was stoutly built, broad, a stout fellow;
there was no door that he would not lift off its hinges,
or break it by running at with his head.
His beard, as any sow or fox, was red,
and broad it was, as if it was a spade.
Upon the right tip of his nose he had
a wart, and thereon stood a tuft of hairs,
Red as the bristles of a sow’s ears;
his nostrils were black and wide.
a sword and a buckler he bore by his side.
His mouth was as great as a furnace.
He was a gossip and a buffoon,
and that was most of his sin and obscenity.
He could well steal corn and take it away three times;
and yet he had a grave of gold, indeed.
He wore a white coat and a blue hood.
A bagpipe he could blow well, up and down,
and with that he brought us out of town.
There was a noble servant of a temple,
of which the purveyor might take example
for to be wise in buying supplies;
for whether he paid or took by credit,
he considered that in his purchase
That he was always ahead, in good state.
Now is that not a sign of God’s own grace
That such a simple person should outpace
The wisdom of a heap of learned men?
For of wise masters he had three times ten,
That were so learned in law, all street-wise
Dozens of which his temple did comprise,
Worthy to be stewards of rent and land
For any lord that dwelt within England.


PHONOLOGICAL TRANSCRIPTION

GP 531 A trewe swynkere and a good was he,
ə trewe swynkere ænd ə go:td waz he:,

GP 532 Lyvynge in pees and parfit charitee.
lyvynge ɪn pees ænd parfit charitee.

GP 533 God loved he best with al his hoole herte
ga:d ləvd he: bɛst wɪθ æl hɪs hul herte

GP 534 At alle tymes, thogh him gamed or smerte,
ət alle tymes, thogh hɪm gamed ər smerte,

GP 535 And thanne his neighebor right as hymselve.
ənd thanne hɪs neighebor rajt æz hymselve.

GP 536 He wolde thresshe, and therto dyke and delve,
he: wolde thresshe, ænd ðertɒ dajk ænd dɛlv,

GP 537 For Cristes sake, for every povre wight,
fɔr cristes sek, fɔr ɛvəri povre wajt,

GP 538 Withouten hire, if it lay in his myght.
withouten hajər, ɪf ɪt le ɪn hɪs might.

GP 539 His tithes payde he ful faire and wel,
hɪs tithes payde he: fʊl fer ænd wel,

GP 540 Bothe of his propre swynk and his catel.
boð ɔv hɪs propre swynk ænd hɪs catel.

GP 541 In a tabard he rood upon a mere
ɪn ə tabard he: rud ʊpɔn ə mɪr.

GP 542 Ther was also a REVE, and a MILLERE,
ther waz ɒlso ə reve, ænd ə millere,

GP 543 A SOMNOUR, and a PARDONER also,
ə somnour, ænd ə pardoner ɒlso,

GP 544 A MAUNCIPLE, and myself -- ther were namo.
ə maʊncɪple, ænd mɑjsɛlf -- ther wɜ:re namo.

GP 545 The MILLERE was a stout carl for the nones;
ðə millere waz ə stawt kɑrl fɔr ðə nones;

GP 546 Ful byg he was of brawn, and eek of bones.
ful byg he: waz ɔv brɒn, ænd eek ɔv bonz.

GP 547 That proved wel, for over al ther he cam,
ðat pruvd wel, fɔr ovər æl ther he: kæm,

GP 548 At wrastlynge he wolde have alwey the ram.
ət wrastlynge he: wolde hæv alwey ðə ræm.

GP 549 He was short - sholdred, brood, a thikke knarre;
he: waz ʃɔrt - sholdred, brud, ə thikke knarre;

GP 550 Ther was no dore that he nolde heve of harre,
ther waz no dɔr ðat he: nold heve ɔv hær,

GP 551 Or breke it at a rennyng with his heed.
ər breke ɪt æt ə rennyng wɪθ hɪs hid.

GP 552 His berd as any sowe or fox was reed
hɪs berd æz eni soʊə ər fa:ks waz re:d

GP 553 And therto brood, as though it were a spade.
ənd ðertɒ brɔ:d æz ðəʊ ɪt wɜ:re ə spæd.

GP 554 Upon the cop right of his nose he hade
ʊpɔn ðə kɒp rɪçt ɔv hɪs nəʊz he: hæd

GP 555 A werte, and theron stood a toft of herys,
ə wɜ:rtə, ænd ðerɒn stɔ:d ə tɒft ɔv heri:s,

GP 556 Reed as the brustles of a sowes erys;
re:d æz ðə brʊstels ɔv ə soʊəs eri:s ;

GP 557 His nosethirles blake were and wyde.
hɪs nəʊzθirtels bla:kə wɜ:re ænd widə.

GP 558 A swerd and a bokeler bar he by his syde.
ə swerd ænd ə bɒkeler bar he: bɪ hɪs sɪdə.

GP 559 His mouth as greet was as a greet forneys.
hɪs moʊθ æz grɛ:t waz æz ə grɛ:t forneis.

GP 560 He was a janglere and a goliardeys,
he: waz ə dʒæŋglerə ænd ə gɒliardeis,

GP 561 And that was moost of synne and harlotries.
ənd ðat waz mɔ:st ɔv sinə ænd harlɒtries.

GP 562 Wel koude he stelen corn and tollen thries;
wel koudə he: stelen kɒrn ænd tɒlən θries;

GP 563 And yet he hadde a thombe of gold, pardee.
ænd jɛt he: hæd ə θɒmbə ɔv gɒld, pardɛ:

GP 564 A whit cote and a blew hood wered he.
ə wɪt kɒtə ænd ə bljʊ hɔ:d wɜ:reð he:

GP 565 A baggepipe wel koude he blowe and sowne,
ə bægpaipə wel koʊdə he: bloʊə ænd soʊnə,

GP 566 And therwithal he broghte us out of towne.
ənd ðerwiðal he: brɔ:tə ʊs aʊt ɔv toʊnə.

GP 567 A gentil MAUNCIPLE was ther of a temple,
ə dʒentɪl maʊncɪple waz ðer ɔv ə templə,

GP 568 Of which achatours myghte take exemple
ɔv hwɪtʃ akatoʊrs migtə ta:ke egzæmplə

GP 569 For to be wise in byynge of vitaille;
fɔr to bi: waiz ɪn bi:nge ɔv vɪtaɪlə;

GP 570 For wheither that he payde or took by taille,
fɔr weɪðər ðat he: paɪdə ɔr tɔ:k bɪ taɪlə,

GP 571 Algate he wayted so in his achaat
algatə he: waited səʊ ɪn hɪs atʃa:t

GP 572 That he was ay biforn, and in good staat.
ðat he: waz ai bɪfɒrn, ænd ɪn go:td sta:t.

GP 573 Now is nat that of God a ful fair grace
naʊ iz næt ðat ɔv ga:d ə fʊl fer greɪs

GP 574 That swich a lewed mannes wit shal pace
ðat swɪch ə leu:d mænns wɪt ʃæl peɪs

GP 575 The wisdom of an heep of lerned men?
ðə wɪzdəm ɔv æn he:p ɔv lʒ:rnəd men

GP 576 Of maistres hadde he mo than thries ten,
ɔv mæsters hæd he: mɔ: ðæn θries ten,

GP 577 That weren of lawe expert and curious,
ðat wʒ:ren ɔv lɔ:w ekspʒ:rt ænd Kjʊriəs,

GP 578 Of which ther were a duszeyne in that hous
ɔv hwɪtʃ ðer wʒ:re ə dʌzeɪnə ɪn ðat haʊs

GP 579 Worthy to been stywardes of rente and lond
wʒ:rði to bɪn stu:ərdəs ɔv rent ænd lond

GP 580 Of any lord that is in Engelond,
ɔv eni lɔ:rd ðat iz ɪn ɪngelond,



METRICAL ANALYSIS

GP 531: A / trewe // swyn / ke // re / and // a / good // was / he, 10 syllables

GP 532: Ly/ vynge // in / pees // and / par//fit / cha // ri / tee. 10 syllables

GP 533: God / lov // ed / he // best / with // al / his // hoole / herte 10 syllables

GP 534: At / alle // tymes /, thogh // him / gam / ed // or / s /merte,-- 10 syllables

GP 535: And / thane // his / neigh // e / bor // right / as // hym / selve. 10 syllables

GP 536: He / wolde // thres / she, // and / ther // to / dyke // and /delve, -- 10 syllables

GP 537: For / Cris // tes / sake // for / e // ve / ry // povre / wight, -- 10 syllables

GP 538: With /out // en / hire //, if / it // lay / in // his / myght. 10 syllables

GP 539: His / ti // thes / pay // de / he // ful // faire // and / wel, -- 10 syllables

GP 540: Bothe / of // his / pro // pre / swynk // and / his // ca / tel. 10 syllables

GP 541: In / a // ta / bard // he / rood // u / pon // a / mere. 10 syllables

GP 542: Ther / was // al / so // a / REVE //, and / a // MIL / LERE, 10 syllables

GP 543: A / SOM // NOUR, / and // a / PAR // DO / NER // al / so, 10 syllables

GP 544: A / MAUN // CIPLE/, and // my / self // -- ther / were // na / mo…-10 syllables

GP 545: The / MIL // LERE / was // a / stout // carl / for // the / nones; 10 syllables

GP 546: Ful / byg // he / was // of / brawn //, and / eek // of / bones. 10 syllables

GP 547: That / prov // ed / wel //, for / over // al / ther // he / cam, 10 syllables

GP 548: At / wrast // lynge / he // wolde / have // al / wey // the / ram. 10 syllables

GP 549: He / was // short / - shol // dred /, brood //, a / thik // ke / knarre; 10 syllables

GP 550: Ther / was // no / dore // that / he // nolde / heve // of / harre, 10 syllables

GP 551: Or / breke // it / at // a / ren // nyng / with // his / heed. 10 syllables

GP 552 His / berd // as / a // ny / sowe // or / fox // was / reed 10 syllables

GP 553 And / ther // to / brood // as / though// it/ were // a / spade. 10 syllables

GP 554 U / pon // the / cop // right / of // his / nose // he / hade 10 syllables

GP 555 A / werte // and / ther // on / stood // a / toft // of / herys 10 syllables

GP 556 Reed / as // the / brus // tles / of // a / sowes // e / rys 10 syllables

GP 557 His / nose // thir / les // bla / ke // were / and // wy / de. 10 syllables

GP 558 Aswerd / and / a / bo / ke / ler / bar / he / by / his / syde. 11 syllables

GP 559 His / mouth // as / greet // was / as // a / greet // for / neys. 10 syllables

GP 560 He / was // a / jan // glere / and // a / go // liar / deys, 10 syllables

GP 561 And / that // was / moost // of / synne // and / har // lo / tries. 10 syllables

GP 562 Wel / koude // he / ste/ / len / corn // and / to // llen / thries; 10 syllables

GP 563 And / yet/ / he / hadde // a / thombe // of / gold // par / dee. 10 syllables

GP 564 A / whit // cote / and // a / blew // hood / we // red / he. 10 syllables

GP 565 A / bagge/ / pi / pe // wel / koude // he / blowe // and / sowne, 10 syllables

GP 566 And / ther // with / al // he / broghte // us / out // of / towne. 10 syllables

GP 567 A / gen / til / MAUN / CI / PLE / was / ther / of / a / temple, 11 syllables

GP 568 Of / which // a / cha // tours / myghte // ta / ke // e / xemple 10 syllables

GP 569 For / to // be / wise // in / byyn // ge / of // vi / taille; 10 syllables

GP 570 For / whei // ther / that // he / payde // or / took // by / taille, 10 syllables

GP 571 Al / gate // he / way // ted / so // in / his // a / chaat 10 syllables

GP 572 That / he // was / ay // bi / forn // and / in // good / staat. 10 syllables

GP 573 Now / is // nat / that // of / God // a / ful // fair / grac(e) 10 syllables

GP 574 That / swich // a / lew // ed / man // nes / wit // shal / 10 Syllables

GP 575 The / wis// dom / of // an / heep // of / ler // ned / men? 10 syllables

GP 576 Of / mais // tres / had // d(e) / he // mo / than // thries / ten, 10 syllables

GP 577 That / we // ren / of // law(e) / ex // pert / and // cu / rious, 10 syllables

GP 578 Of / whiCh // ther / wer(e) // a / dus // zeyn(e) / in // that / hous 10 syllables

GP 579 Wor / thy // to / been // sty / ward(e)s // of / rent(e) // and / lond 10 syllables

GP 580 Of / a // ny / lord // that / is // in / En // g(e) / lond 10 syllables






Peeking at the Middle English version in the text, it was seen that there is a rhyme scheme evident. Chaucer employs an AABB rhyme and an iambic ten-syllable per line scheme to set the rhythm (iambic pentameter). This unit of rhyming is said to be a “foot” containing an unstressed syllable (x) followed by a stressed sybllable (/) – x /, which is called an iamb, and there are five of these in a line of verse. Therefore a regular iambic pentameter line contains ten syllables of alternating unstressed and stressed syllables x/ /x / x / x / x / (de-DUM). Lines of verse are not always absolutely regular, but with this patten in mind, we have plenty of evidence in Chaucer’s verse about the number of syllables in words, and their pronunciation and stress patterns.
According to Chaucer, some final (-e) suffixes were pronounced, and some were not. Remember that a final (–e) before a word beggining with a vowel or (h-) is elided, and not pronounced.

He uses decasyllabic rhyming couplets, with some variation. They also tend to form part of an ongoing sequence of forward movement and they tend to be incomplete, not end-stopped to contribute to the narrative energy of the poem. Some lines follow a closely parallel structure in terms of their grammar/syntax. Rhyming words may be the same part of speech and there is internal rhyme too. There are also important rhetorical effects (lines 575-577). If we pay attention to the language, we can notice the combination of familiar phrases and more learned, even courtly references. Fillers and other techniques are used to create flexible rhyme. Optional use of the final –e, wide vocabulary, variety of exclamations, etc.

The challenge of the author was to compose a story using these parameters. Chaucer attempts to describe each character in a realistic, humanistic manner, and he succeeds in doing so. He had a great perspective from the Middle class from which he was born into, and in the stories, he presents the troubadour tradition with irony and sarcasm.


<http://www.teachit.co.uk/attachments/9148.pdf > 31st March 2009 0:02

text 94. Caxton's "The Historye of Reynart the Foxe", 1489

page 276. Freeborn. DIFFICULT WORDS

Beʃtys= beast
maudementys= commandements
feeʃt= feast
whytʃontyde= whitsuntide
lusʃty= healthy
leuis= leaves
fowles and byr= birds
ʃtaden= state
dyde= did
wyʃe= ways
ʃauf= except for
for= because
fawty= faulty
none of them alle = no one
fore= bitterly
to fore= before
myʃdedes= misdeeds

Friday, 3rd April 2009. John of Trevisa and Caxton.

John of Trevisa was a vicar of Berkeley near Gloucester when he translated Polychronicon. It is a reminder to us of the historical origins of English and its dialects. Trevisa’s attitude is not unlike that of some people today in his talk of the aperying (deterioration) of the language, but the reasons he gives are different. He blames it on the fashion for speaking French. He is writing in the South-west dialect on Middle English.
We are going to follow the kind of variation of the text Polychronicon thorugh the different copies of this single text during history, attending to vocabulary changes, spelling, word-forms and inflections (nouns, pronouns and verbs) and also grammar.

ORIGINAL TEXTS

TEXT 57: John of Trevisa on the English language in 1385 (i)
Freeborn. Page 190

As hyt ys y-knowe hou3 meny maner people buþ in þis ylond, þer buþ also of so meny people longages and tonges; noþeles Walschmen and Scottes, þat buþ no3t ymelled wiþ oþer nacions, holdeþ wel ny3 here furste longage and speche
Also Englischmen, þey3 hy hadde fram þe bygynnyng þre maner speche, Souþeron, Norþeron, and Myddel speche in þe myddel of þe lond, as hy come of þre maner people of Germania, noþeles, by commyxstion and mellyng furst wiþ danes and afterward wiþ Normans in menye þe contray longage ys apeyred, and som vseþ strange wlaffyng, chyteryng, harryng and garryng, grisbittyng.
This apeyryng of þe burþ-tonge ys bycause of twey þinges -on ys, for chyldern in scole, a3enes þe usage and manere of al oþer nacions, buþ compelled for to leve here oune longage, and for to construe here lessons and here þinges a freynsch, and habbeþ, suþthe þe normans come furst into engelond. Also, gentil men children buþ y-tau3t for to speke freynsch fram tyme þat a buþ yrokked in here cradel, and conneþ speke and playe wiþ a child hys brouch; and oplondysch men wol lykne hamsylf to gentilmen, and fondeþ wiþ gret bysynes for to speke Freynsch for to be more y-told of…
Dys manere was moche y-used tofore þe furste moreyn and ys sesthe somdel y-chaunged. Now, þe 3er of oure Lord a þousond re hondred foure score and fyue in al þe gramerscoles of engelond children leueþ frensch and costrueþ and lurneþ Englysh…
Also gentil men habbeþ now moche yleft for to teche here childern frensch. Hyt semeþ a gret wondur hou3 englysch, þat ys þe burþ-tonge of englyschmen and here oune longage and tongue ys so dyvers of soun in þis ylond, and þe longage of Normandy ys comlyng of anoþer lond and haþ on maner soun among al men þat spekeþ hyt ary3t in engelond.


TEXT 90: John of Trevisa, 1385
Freeborn. Page 271


As it is i-knowe how meny manere peple beeþ in
þis ilond þere beeþ also so many dyuers longages
and tonges; noþeles walsche men and scottes þat
beeþ nou3t i-medled wiþ oþer naciouns holdeþ wel
nyh hir firste longage and speche...
Also englische men þey þei hadde from þe
bygynnynge þre maner speche norþerne sowþerne
and middel speche in þe myddel of þe lond, as þey
come of þre manere peple of Germania, noþeles by
comyxtioun and mellynge firste wiþ danes and
afterward wiþ normans in meny þe contray longage
is apayred and som vseþ straunge wlafferynge
chiterynge harrynge and garrynge grisbitynge.
This apayrynge of þe burþe tonge is bycause of
tweie þinges; oon is for children in scole a3enst þe
vsage and manere of alle oþere naciouns beeþ
compelled for to leue hire owne langage and for to
construe hir lessouns and here þynges a frensche,
and so þey haueþ seþ þe normans come first in to
engelond.
Also gentil men children beeþ i-tau3t to speke
frensche from þe tyme þat þey beeþ i-rokked in
here cradel and kunneþ speke and playe wiþ a
childes broche; and vplondisshe men wil likne
hym self to gentil men and fondeþ wiþ greet
besynesse for to speke frensce for to be i-tolde of...
Þis manere was moche i-vsed to for firste deth and
is siþþe sumdel i-chaunged. For Iohn Cornwaile, a
maister of grammer, chaunged þe lore in gramer
scole, and construccioun of frensche into
englische; and Richard Pencriche lerned þe manere
techynge of hym and oþere men of Pencrich; so
þat now, þe 3ere of oure Lorde a þowsand þre
hundred and foure score and fyue, in alle þe
gramere scoles of engelond children leueþ frensche
and construeþ and lerneþ an englische...
Also gentil men haueþ now moche i-left for to
teche here children frensche. Hit semeþ a greet
wonder hou3 englische, þat is pe burþe tonge of
englissh men and her owne langage and tonge, ys
so dyuerse of sown in þis oon ilond, and þe langage
of normandie is comlynge of anoþer londe and haþ
oon manere soun among alle men þat spekeþ hit
ari3t in engelond.
...also of þe forsaide saxon tonge þat is i-deled a
þre and is abide scarsliche wiþ fewe vplondisshe
men is greet wonder for men of þe est wiþ men of
þe west, as it were vndir þe same partie of heuene,
acordeþ more in sownynge of speche þan men of
þe norþ wiþ men of þe souþ.
Þerfor it is þat men of mercii, þat beeþ of myddel
engelond, as it were parteners of þe endes,
vnderstondeþ bettre þe side langages, norþerne and
souþerne, þan noþrerne and souþerne vnderstondeþ
eiþer oþer.
Al þe longage of þe norþumbres and specialliche at
3ork is so scharp slitting frotynge and vnschape þat
we souþerne men may þat longage vnneþe
understande. I trowe þat þat is bycause þat þey be
nyh to staunge men and aliens þat spekeþ
strongliche.



Text 91: Caxton’s version, 1482
Freeborn. Page 272

As it is knowen how many maner peple ben in this
Ilond ther ben also many langages and tonges.
Netheles walshmen and scottes that ben not
medled with other nacions kepe neygh yet theyr
first langage and speche /
also englysshmen though they had fro the
begynnyng thre maner speches Southern northern
and myddel speche in the middel of the londe as
they come of thre maner of people of Germania.
Netheles by commyxtion and medlyng first with
danes and afterward with normans In many
thynges the countreye langage is appayred / ffor
somme use straunge wlaffyng / chytering harryng
garryng and grisbytyng /
this appayryng of the langage cometh of two
thynges / One is by cause that children that gon to
scole lerne to speke first englysshe / & than ben
compellid to constrewe her lessons in Frenssh and
that have ben used syn the normans come in to
Englond /
Also gentilmens childeren ben lerned and taught
from theyr yongthe to speke frenssh. And
uplondyssh men will counterfete and likene hem
self to gentilmen and arn besy to speke frensshe
for to be more sette by.
This maner was moche used to fore the grete
deth. But syth it is somdele chaunged For sir
Johan cornuayl a mayster of gramer chaunged the
techyng in gramer scole and construction of
Frenssh in to englysshe. and other Scoolmaysters
use the same way now in the yere of oure lord /
M.iij/C.lx.v. the /ix yere of kyng Rychard the
secund and leve all frenssh in scoles and use al
construction in englissh.


MODERN TRANSLATION

As it is kown how many kinds of people are in this island, there are also so many languages and tongues. Nevertheless Welshmen and Scots that are not mingled with other nations hold well nigh to their native language and speech.
Also Englishmen though they had from the beginning three varieties of speech –Southern, Northern, and Middle speech in the middle of the land, as they came from three kinds of people from Germany. Nevertheless bu mixing and mingling first with Danes afterwards with Normans in many the language of the land is impaired and some use strange stammering, chattering, snarling, and harsh gnashing.
This impairing of the native tongue is because of two things –one is that children in school, against the usage and custom of all other nations, are compelled to leave their own language and to construe their lessons and their tasks in French, and have done since the Normans came first into England.
Also gentelemen’s children are taught to speak French from the time that they are rocked in their cradle and can talk and play with a child’s brooch. And country men want to compare themselves to gentlemen and seek with great industry to speak French in order to be more spoken about…
This fashion was much followed before the first plague and is since somewhat changed. Now, the year of our Lord one thousand three hundred four score and five, in all the grammar schools of England, children leave French, and construe and learn in English.
Also gentlemen have now to a great extent stopped teaching their children French. It seems a freat wonder how English, that is the native tongue of Englishmen and their own language and tongue, is so diverse in pronunciation in this island, and the language of Normandy is a newcover from another land and has one pronunciation among all men that speak it corretly in England.

Text 106: Sir Thomas Elyot, The Gouernour, 1531 (iii) (facsimile)

Freeborn. Page 300

ORIGINAL TEXT

But to retourne to my purpose: hit shall be expedient / that a noble mannes sonne, in his infancie haue with hym continually / onely suche / as may accustome hym by litle and litle to speake pure and elegant latin. Semblably the nourises and other women aboute hym / if it be possible / to do the same: or at the leste way / that they speke none englisshe but that / whiche is cleane / polite / perfectly / and articulately pronounced / omittinge no lettre or sillable / as folisshe women often times do of a wantonnesse / wherby diuers noble men / and getilmennes chyldren (as I do at this daye knowe) haue attained corrupte and foule pronuntiation.


MODERN TRANSLATION

But to return to my purpose: it shall be expedient, that a nobleman’s son in his infancy has with him continually, only such, as may accustom him by little and little to speak pure and elegant Latin. Similarly the nurses and other women about him, if it is possible, to do the same: or at the least way, that they speak none English but that, which is clean, polite, perfectly, and articulately pronounced, omitting no letter or syllable, as foolish women sometimes do of a wantonness, whereby divers noble men, and gentlemen children ( as I do at this day know) have attained corrupt and foul pronuntiation.

Text 105: Sir Thomas Elyot, The Gouernour, 1531 (ii) (facsímile)

Freeborn. Page 300

Original text

But there can be nothyng more conuenient / than by litle and litle to trayne and exercise them in spekyng of latyne: infourmyng them to knowe first the names in latine of all thynges that cometh in syghte / and to name all the partes of theyr bodies:


Modern translation

But there can be nothing more convenient, than by little and little to train and exercise them in speaking of Latin: informing them to know first the names in Latin of all THE things that come in sight and to name all the parts of their bodies.

TEXT 104: Sir Thomas Elyot, The Governour, 1531 (i) (facsimile)

Freeborn. Page 298

ORIGINAL TEXT

A publik weale is a body lyuyng, compacte or made of sondry astates and degrees of men, whiche is disposed by the ordre of equite and gouerned by the rule and moderation of reason. In the latin tonge it is called Respublica, of the whiche the worde Res hath diuers significations, and dothe nat only betoken that, that is called a thynge, whiche is distincte from a persone, but also signifieth astate, condition, substance, and profite. In our olde vulgare, profite is called weale. And it is called a welthy contraye wherin is all thyng that is profitable. And he is a welthy man that is riche in money and substance. Publike (as Varro saith) is diriuied of people, whiche in latin is called Populus, wherfore hit semeth that men haue ben longe abused in calling Rempublieam a commune weale. And they which do suppose it so to be called for that, that euery thinge shulde be to all men in commune without discrepance of any astate or condition, be thereto moued nore by sensualite than by any good reason or inclination to humanite. And that shall sone appere unto them that wyll be satisfied either with autorite or with naturall ordre and example.
Fyrst, the propre and trewe signification of the wordes publike and commune, whiche be borowed of the latin tonge for the insufficiencie of our owne langage, shal sufficiently declare the blyndenes of them whiche haue hitherto holden and maynteyned the sayde opinions.

MODERN TRANSLATION

A public weal is a body living, compact or made of several estates and different classes of men, which is disposed by the order of traditional values, and governed by the rule and moderation of reason. In the Latin tongue it is called respublica, of which the word res has diverse significations, and does not only be taken that is called a thing, which is distinct from a person, but also signifies estate, condition, substance and profit. In the common tongue, profit is called commonwealth, and it is called a wealthy country, wherein is zll thing that is profitable; and he is a wealthy man, that is rich in money and property. Public (as Varro says) is derived from people, which in Latin is called populus, wherfore it seems that men have long benn mistaken in calling republicam a distrubution of wealth. And they which do suppose it so to be called for that, that everything should be to all men in common without discrepancy of any estate or condition, be moved more by their basic instints, than by any good reason or inclination to humanity. And that shall soon be obvius to those that will be satisfied either with authority, or with natural order and example.
First, the proper and true signification of the words public and common, which are borrowed from the Latin tongue for the insufficiency of our own language, shall sufficiently declare the blindness of those, which have hold and mantained the said opinions.

TEXT 103: Proheme to The Gouernor (facsimile)

Freeborn. Page 297
ORIGINAL TEXT

THE PROHEME

The Proheme of Thomas Elyot, knyghte, unto the most noble andvictorious prince kinge Henry the eyght, kyng of Englande and Fraunce,defender, of the true faythe, and lorde of Irelande.

THE FIRSTE BOKE

I. The significacion of a Publike Weale, and why it is called in latin Respublica


MODERN TRANSLATION

THE PROHEME

Unto the most noble and victorious prince, king Henry the Eight, by the grace of God, king of England and France, defender of the true faith, and also lord of Ireland.

THE FIRST BOOK

I. The signification of a public weal and why it is called in Latin Republica.