The question of the 'standardisation' of written English in the fifteenth century
The present thesis attempts to reconsider the widely held assumption found in the histories of the English language, namely, that the English Chancery was the source and the cause of the standardisation of the English language which occurred in the fifteenth century. The thesis considers how the standardisation of the English language is presently described in a number of textbooks. It questions the role of the late medieval English Chancery as an agent of standardisation, and the status of the so-called 'Chancery English' as the early standardised form of English. The account of the standardisation of the English language is confusing and remains unsatisfactory. The thesis identifies problems associated with current explanations regarding the 'emergence' of Standard English in the fifteenth century, and discusses some reasons why some inconsistencies have been overlooked. Problems arise when researchers try to judge the changes evident in fifteenth-century English by employing modem values and ideas on standardisation which do not apply to late medieval English. This anachronistic practice is hazardous, since there is little consensus over the issue of Standard English even in the present -day context and
Takeda, Reiko
The question of the 'standardisation' of written English in the fifteenth century. The present thesis attempts to reconsider the widely held assumption found in the histories of the English language, namely, that the English Chancery was the source and the cause of the standardisation of the English language which occurred in the fifteenth century. The thesis considers how the standardisation of the English language is presently described in a number of textbooks. It questions the role of the late medieval English Chancery as an agent of standardisation, and the status of the so-called 'Chancery English' as the early standardised form of English. The account of the standardisation of the English language is confusing and remains unsatisfactory. The thesis identifies problems associated with current explanations regarding the 'emergence' of Standard English in the fifteenth century, and discusses some reasons why some inconsistencies have been overlooked. Problems arise when researchers try to judge the changes evident in fifteenth-century English by employing modem values and ideas on standardisation which do not apply to late medieval English. This anachronistic practice is hazardous, since there is little consensus over the issue of Standard English even in the present -day context and
question standardisation write_english present attempt reconsider widely_hold assumption find history english_language namely english chancery source cause standardisation english_language occur considers standardisation english_language presently describe number textbook question role late_medieval english chancery agent standardisation status so_called chancery english early standardise form english account standardisation english_language confuse remain unsatisfactory identifies problem_associate current explanation regard emergence standard_english discuss_reason inconsistency overlook problems arise researcher try judge change evident fifteenth_century english employ modem value idea standardisation apply late_medieval english anachronistic practice hazardous since little consensus issue standard_english even present_day context