The Curious Connection Between Shakespeare and Modern English

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School

University of California, Los Angeles *

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10A

Subject

Linguistics

Date

Oct 30, 2023

Type

docx

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Uploaded by archietush22

The Curious Connection Between Shakespeare and Modern English William Shakespeare, often regarded as the greatest writer in the English language, has left an indelible mark on both the world of literature and the evolution of the English language itself. His words and phrases have become an integral part of modern English, and his influence continues to resonate today. Shakespeare's impact on English history is more than just literary; it's linguistic. Many common expressions we use today have their origins in Shakespeare's plays. Phrases like "break the ice," "bated breath," and "wild-goose chase" are just a few examples of Shakespearean coinages that have become everyday idioms. As you read Shakespeare's works, you're not merely exploring his plays but also tracing the evolution of English language expressions. The Bard also played a significant role in standardizing the English language. During his time, English was still a relatively fluid and evolving language with multiple dialects. Shakespeare's prolific writing, which spanned across various genres, helped establish a common English language, which served as a foundation for the modern standard. Furthermore, the variety of characters in Shakespeare's plays, each with their unique accents and speaking styles, offers a window into the rich diversity of English dialects and accents throughout history. From the poetic eloquence of Hamlet to the bawdy humor of Falstaff, Shakespeare's characters represent a spectrum of linguistic diversity in the English language. Shakespeare's contribution to the English language and history is immeasurable. His legacy endures not only in the form of timeless literary masterpieces but also as a testament to the enduring power of the English language to evolve and adapt, thanks to the wordsmith of Stratford-upon-Avon.

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