Dr. Rogers, I think this is one of the first essays of yours that I read years ago when it was posted on the Rabbit Room. I loved it. I’m not sure, but I think it might have been what led me to your Writing with Flannery O’Connor course when it was a 2-week intensive with 12 people…and that course changed my writing for life. Really enjoyed reading this piece again!
Great revisit article. I am sure this the first thing I ever read on Substack. I have the same curious question now as I had months ago: Why didn't more Latin influence from Roman occupation of Britain in the days of Arthur or Bede take hold?
Great question, Jerry. It took me a minute. But the Romans were in Britain before the Anglo Saxons got there. (The Anglo Saxons came to fill the vacuum left by the Romans). It’s strange to think about, but Latin came to Britain (and left again) before English got there!
That was my answer to my own question. During Roman occupation, none of the Picts, Scots, or other northern nations would have been Latinized. The Cymry and Irish might have some influence, more affecting warfare, politics, and religion than language. (Lucky coincidence to discuss this on St. Patrick's day.) Irish and Welsh seem to have been less susceptible to borrowing words. Also, the Danelaw raids and occupation left fewer traces.
So interesting! I've heard people recommending Anglo-Saxon words over Latinate for poetry, but I didn't really understand what they meant. This explains it very well.
Dr. Rogers, I think this is one of the first essays of yours that I read years ago when it was posted on the Rabbit Room. I loved it. I’m not sure, but I think it might have been what led me to your Writing with Flannery O’Connor course when it was a 2-week intensive with 12 people…and that course changed my writing for life. Really enjoyed reading this piece again!
Great revisit article. I am sure this the first thing I ever read on Substack. I have the same curious question now as I had months ago: Why didn't more Latin influence from Roman occupation of Britain in the days of Arthur or Bede take hold?
Great question, Jerry. It took me a minute. But the Romans were in Britain before the Anglo Saxons got there. (The Anglo Saxons came to fill the vacuum left by the Romans). It’s strange to think about, but Latin came to Britain (and left again) before English got there!
That was my answer to my own question. During Roman occupation, none of the Picts, Scots, or other northern nations would have been Latinized. The Cymry and Irish might have some influence, more affecting warfare, politics, and religion than language. (Lucky coincidence to discuss this on St. Patrick's day.) Irish and Welsh seem to have been less susceptible to borrowing words. Also, the Danelaw raids and occupation left fewer traces.
My son informs me that you can play Minecraft in Anglish. Anglish being a term for English without the borrowed language vocabulary.
This was fascinating. Thanks for sharing!
So interesting! I've heard people recommending Anglo-Saxon words over Latinate for poetry, but I didn't really understand what they meant. This explains it very well.