Medieval English Multilingualisms

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Serval ID
serval:BIB_9564DE3E266A
Type
Article: article from journal or magazin.
Collection
Publications
Institution
Title
Medieval English Multilingualisms
Journal
Language Learning
Author(s)
Critten Rory G., Dutton Elisabeth
ISSN
0023-8333 (print)
1467-9922 (electronic)
Publication state
Published
Issued date
2021
Peer-reviewed
Oui
Volume
71
Pages
12-38
Language
english
Abstract
This article introduces the nonmedievalist reader to the multilingual landscape of England 700–1400. Building on recent work exploring in particular the relationships among English, French, and Latin in medieval England, it discusses a series of “multilingual moments” from a range of sources, including letters, poems, travel writings, and French language teaching texts. Together, these examples build a picture of the complex interrelationships of languages, both spoken and written, that existed for medieval English people at home and when traveling abroad. Then, as now, people can be seen using their linguistic resources for pragmatic and creative effect. We demonstrate that multilingualism is nothing new. From a methodological perspective, our work also underlines the importance of viewing linguistic attitudes in their particular intellectual and historical contexts.
Keywords
multilingualism, medieval, England, survey
Create date
27/01/2020 18:47
Last modification date
21/11/2022 8:26
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