THE VOCABULARY OF THE MIDDLE ENGLISH PERIOD ( WITH A FOCUS ON CHAUCER)

Abstract

This article delves into the transformative nature of the English lexicon during the Middle English period (c. 1150–1500), specifically examining the profound influence of Geoffrey Chaucer (c. 1343–1400) on the language's development. The period is characterized by the massive influx of loanwords, primarily from Anglo-Norman French and Latin, a direct consequence of the Norman Conquest and the continued status of these languages in law, administration, and scholarship. Chaucer, often hailed as the "Father of English Literature," is a pivotal figure whose works, particularly The Canterbury Tales, reveal a rich and eclectic vocabulary that significantly contributed to the standardization and enrichment of English. This study employs a lexical analysis and etymological examination of Chaucer's language to quantify his contributions and illustrate the linguistic heterogeneity that laid the foundation for Modern English.