Studies in the late medieval dialect materials of Essex
This thesis is an investigation into the medieval dialect materials of Essex. The main sources are the group of fourteenth- and fifteenth-century texts localised linguistically to Essex by the Linguistic Atlas of Late Mediaeval English (McIntosh et al). The methodology used is that developed by the editors of the Linguistic Atlas, however, this thesis goes beyond the Atlas in its analysis of the texts and in its use of the evidence for a descriptive and interpretative study. The aims are to provide a contextualisatlon of the evidence and to describe the characteristics of the Essex dialect. The material is related to the available Old and Early Middle English material, and the external history of Essex in the medieval period is outlined. A linguistic analysis of each text is conducted and from this, criteria for the localisation of texts to the Essex area are described. Problematic localisations of certain texts are reviewed. The evidence provided in certain texts of particular patterns of scribal behaviour will be considered. A number of special studies concentrating on particular features of Interest in the Essex dialect will be carried out: investigations into the development of West Saxon ae, the development
Youngson, Judith Margaret
English; London; Dialectology
Studies in the late medieval dialect materials of Essex. This thesis is an investigation into the medieval dialect materials of Essex. The main sources are the group of fourteenth- and fifteenth-century texts localised linguistically to Essex by the Linguistic Atlas of Late Mediaeval English (McIntosh et al). The methodology used is that developed by the editors of the Linguistic Atlas, however, this thesis goes beyond the Atlas in its analysis of the texts and in its use of the evidence for a descriptive and interpretative study. The aims are to provide a contextualisatlon of the evidence and to describe the characteristics of the Essex dialect. The material is related to the available Old and Early Middle English material, and the external history of Essex in the medieval period is outlined. A linguistic analysis of each text is conducted and from this, criteria for the localisation of texts to the Essex area are described. Problematic localisations of certain texts are reviewed. The evidence provided in certain texts of particular patterns of scribal behaviour will be considered. A number of special studies concentrating on particular features of Interest in the Essex dialect will be carried out: investigations into the development of West Saxon ae, the development
studies late_medieval dialect_material essex investigation medieval dialect_material essex main_source group fourteenth fifteenth_century text localise linguistically essex linguistic atlas late mediaeval english use developed editor linguistic atlas however beyond atlas analysis text use evidence descriptive interpretative study aim_provide evidence describe characteristic essex dialect material_relate available old early_middle english material external history essex medieval_period outline linguistic_analysis text conduct criterion localisation texts essex area describe problematic localisation certain texts review evidence_provide certain texts particular pattern scribal behaviour consider number special study_concentrate particular feature interest essex dialect carry investigation development west_saxon development