Bihar Board Class 11 English Story of English Chapter 2 – English Down The Ages
Bihar Board Class 11 English Story of English Chapter 2 – English Down The Ages explains the historical growth and development of the English language. The chapter discusses the three major periods of English—Old English, Middle English and Modern English—and explains how the language gradually developed into an international language.
English Down The Ages is Chapter 2 of the Story of English section in Rainbow Part 1. The chapter also explains the Great Vowel Shift, the influence of French and Latin, the invention of the printing press and the emergence of different varieties of English around the world.
Bihar Board Class 11 English English Down The Ages – Overview
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Class | Class 11th |
| Subject | English |
| Book | Rainbow Part 1 |
| Section | Story of English |
| Chapter | Chapter 2 – English Down The Ages |
| Main Subject | History and development of the English language |
| Main Periods | Old English, Middle English and Modern English |
English Down The Ages – Introduction
English is one of the most important languages of the modern world. However, the English language spoken today is very different from the language used in its early stages.
The chapter explains that English is about fifteen hundred years old, while the form of English familiar to modern readers is less than five centuries old.
Over a long period, English changed in vocabulary, pronunciation, grammar and usage. These changes can broadly be understood through different historical periods.
Three Main Periods of English
The history of the English language is broadly divided into three major periods:
- Old English – AD 449 to AD 1066
- Middle English – AD 1150 to AD 1500
- Modern English – AD 1500 onwards
Each period brought important changes to the language. The transition from one period to another was influenced by political, social, cultural and technological developments.
Old English
Old English covers approximately the period from AD 449 to AD 1066.
During this period, English was mainly the language of everyday speech. It was characterised by the extensive use of inflections.
The language was still developing and differed considerably from the English used today.
Why Was Old English Literature Limited?
The chapter explains that literature produced during the Old English period was not of much significance because court patronage was lacking.
Because of the limited support for literature, the period came to be associated with the Dark Age.
Middle English
The Middle English period extends approximately from AD 1150 to AD 1500.
During this period, English began to emerge as an important language of literature. The language became richer through extensive borrowing from French and Latin.
This borrowing significantly expanded the vocabulary of English.
Major Developments During Middle English
Two important developments had a major impact on the English language during this period:
- The invention of the printing press in 1476.
- A considerable rise in literacy.
The Great Vowel Shift also took place during this period and brought significant changes to English pronunciation.
The Great Vowel Shift
The Great Vowel Shift was a major change in the pronunciation of English vowel sounds.
It occurred during the transition towards Modern English and played an important role in shaping the pronunciation system of English as we know it today.
The chapter connects this development with the period following the invention of the printing press and the considerable rise in literacy. 1
Modern English
Modern English refers to the period beginning around AD 1500 and continuing to the present.
During the early part of this period, English was primarily associated with the British Isles. Later, the expansion of the British Empire helped spread English to many parts of the world.
The growth of science, industry, politics and literature also contributed to the expansion of English vocabulary.
Influence of the British Empire
As the British Empire expanded, English came into contact with many different languages and cultures.
English absorbed words and expressions from the countries and cultures with which it came into contact. This process helped enrich the vocabulary of the language.
Even after many former British colonies became independent, English continued to be used in many of these countries.
New Englishes
In the twentieth century, many former colonies of the British Empire became independent. However, English continued to remain important in these countries.
As English adapted to different cultural and linguistic environments, new varieties developed in different parts of the world.
These varieties are often described collectively as New Englishes.
Examples include:
- American English
- Indian English
- Canadian English
The idea of New Englishes shows how English can adapt to different societies while continuing to serve as a means of communication.
English as an International Language
English has become an important international language because it is used for communication across national and linguistic boundaries.
Its importance has increased further with globalisation, international education, science, technology, business and communication.
The chapter describes English as a suitable language for international communication and also highlights its role in the modern cyber age. 2
English in the Cyber Age
The development of computers and the internet has created another important area for English.
English is extensively used in digital communication, websites, software, online education and international communication.
As technology continues to develop, English continues to adapt to new forms of communication.
English Down The Ages – Summary
English Down The Ages presents the long historical journey of the English language.
Old English developed from the early Germanic language brought to England by Germanic tribes. This period, from AD 449 to AD 1066, was characterised by inflections and was mainly a language of everyday speech.
During Middle English, from approximately AD 1150 to AD 1500, English developed as a language of literature and borrowed extensively from French and Latin.
The invention of the printing press, the rise in literacy and the Great Vowel Shift contributed significantly to the development of English during this period.
Modern English began around AD 1500. The language expanded with the growth of the British Empire, science, industry, politics and literature.
In the twentieth century, English developed different varieties in different parts of the world. These varieties are known as New Englishes.
Today English serves as an important international language and has adapted itself to the requirements of the modern cyber age.
Comparison of the Three Main Periods
| Period | Approximate Time | Major Features |
|---|---|---|
| Old English | AD 449–AD 1066 | Inflections, everyday speech, early English |
| Middle English | AD 1150–AD 1500 | French and Latin borrowings, literature, printing press, Great Vowel Shift |
| Modern English | AD 1500 onwards | Global expansion, vocabulary growth, international use and New Englishes |
Main Themes of English Down The Ages
1. Historical Development
The chapter explains how English changed over different periods.
2. Influence of Other Languages
English borrowed extensively from languages such as French and Latin and later absorbed vocabulary from many other languages.
3. Growth of Literature
English gradually developed from an everyday spoken language into an important language of literature.
4. Technological Influence
The printing press and later digital technology contributed to the growth and spread of English.
5. Globalisation
English spread across the world and developed different regional varieties.
6. New Englishes
Different varieties of English emerged as the language adapted to different cultures and societies.
Important Questions from English Down The Ages
- How old is the English language?
- What are the three main periods in the history of English?
- What is Old English?
- Which period is characterised by inflections?
- Why did Old English fail to produce literature of much significance?
- What is Middle English?
- How was Middle English enriched?
- When did the Great Vowel Shift take place?
- What was the importance of the printing press?
- Since when has Modern English been in use?
- How did the British Empire contribute to the spread of English?
- What are New Englishes?
- Give examples of New Englishes.
- Why has English become an international language?
- What is the role of English in the cyber age?
- Write a summary of English Down The Ages.
Textbook True or False
- English was once humble East Midland dialects. — True
- Old English covers AD 449–AD 1066. — True
- Middle English did not borrow from French and Latin. — False
- The present era is the period of New Englishes. — True
These textbook answers are consistent with the chapter-specific reference material. 3
Short Answer Questions
Question 1. How old is the English language?
Answer: English is about fifteen hundred years old. However, the form of English familiar to us today is less than five centuries old.
Question 2. What are the three main periods of English?
Answer: The three main periods are Old English, Middle English and Modern English.
Question 3. Which period is characterised by inflections?
Answer: The Old English period is characterised by inflections.
Question 4. Why did Old English fail to produce literature of much significance?
Answer: Court patronage was lacking during the period. As a result, literature produced during the age was not considered to be of much significance, and the period came to be associated with the Dark Age.
Question 5. Since when has Modern English been in use?
Answer: Modern English has been in use from approximately AD 1500 onwards.
Question 6. When did the Great Vowel Shift take place?
Answer: The Great Vowel Shift took place during the transition from Middle English towards Modern English and is associated with the Middle English period. 4
Question 7. How was Middle English enriched?
Answer: Middle English was enriched through extensive borrowing from French and Latin.
Question 8. What are New Englishes?
Answer: New Englishes are the different varieties of English that have developed in different parts of the world as English adapted to local languages and cultures.
Long Answer Questions
Question 1. Describe the three main periods of the English language.
Answer: The history of English can broadly be divided into Old English, Middle English and Modern English.
Old English covers approximately AD 449 to AD 1066. It was mainly used as a language of everyday speech and was characterised by inflections.
Middle English covers approximately AD 1150 to AD 1500. During this period English developed as a language of literature and was enriched by extensive borrowings from French and Latin. The printing press, increased literacy and the Great Vowel Shift also influenced its development.
Modern English began around AD 1500 and continues to the present. During this period English spread widely through the expansion of the British Empire and the growth of science, industry, politics and literature.
Question 2. Explain the important developments during the Middle English period.
Answer: Middle English was an important stage in the development of the English language. English began to emerge as a language of literature during this period.
The language borrowed extensively from French and Latin, which greatly increased its vocabulary. The invention of the printing press in 1476 and the rise in literacy also helped English develop as a written language.
The Great Vowel Shift brought important changes to English pronunciation. Together, these developments helped prepare English for its Modern English form.
Question 3. Explain the growth of English during the Modern English period.
Answer: Modern English began around AD 1500. During the early part of this period, English was mainly associated with the British Isles.
As the British Empire expanded, English spread to many parts of the world. Contact with different countries and cultures enriched English vocabulary.
The growth of science, industry, politics and literature also contributed to the development of the language. Later, different varieties of English emerged in different parts of the world.
Question 4. Why has English become an international language?
Answer: English has spread across many countries because of historical, political, educational, scientific, technological and economic factors.
It is widely used for international communication, education, science, business and technology. Globalisation and the growth of the internet have further strengthened its international role.
English Down The Ages – Important Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning | Hindi Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Inflection | A change in the form of a word to express grammatical meaning | रूप परिवर्तन / विकारी रूप |
| Dialect | A regional form of a language | बोली |
| Literature | Written works of artistic or intellectual value | साहित्य |
| Patronage | Support given to artists or writers | संरक्षण / आश्रय |
| Borrowing | Taking words or expressions from another language | शब्द ग्रहण |
| Literacy | The ability to read and write | साक्षरता |
| Printing Press | A machine used for producing printed material | मुद्रण यंत्र |
| Global | Related to the whole world | वैश्विक |
| Variety | A particular form or type | प्रकार / विविधता |
Exam Oriented Points
| Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Section | Story of English |
| Chapter | Chapter 2 |
| Lesson | English Down The Ages |
| Old English | AD 449–AD 1066 |
| Middle English | AD 1150–AD 1500 |
| Modern English | AD 1500 onwards |
| Important Development | Great Vowel Shift |
| Present Era | Era of New Englishes |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Chapter 2 of Story of English?
Chapter 2 of the Story of English section is English Down The Ages.
What are the three main periods of English?
The three main periods are Old English, Middle English and Modern English.
Which period was characterised by inflections?
The Old English period was characterised by inflections.
When did Modern English begin?
Modern English began around AD 1500.
What is the Great Vowel Shift?
It was a major change in the pronunciation of English vowel sounds during the transition from Middle English to Modern English.
What are New Englishes?
New Englishes are varieties of English that developed in different parts of the world as the language adapted to local cultures and languages.
How to Prepare Chapter 2 for the Exam
- Learn the three major periods of English.
- Remember the time period of Old English.
- Understand the main features of Middle English.
- Remember the role of French and Latin.
- Learn the importance of the printing press.
- Understand the Great Vowel Shift.
- Remember that Modern English began around AD 1500.
- Understand how English spread throughout the world.
- Learn the meaning of New Englishes.
- Revise the important short and long questions.
Important Links
| Resource | Link |
|---|---|
| Previous Chapter | Bihar Board Class 11 English Story of English Chapter 1 – How English Began |
| Bihar Board Official Website | Bihar Board Online |
Conclusion
Bihar Board Class 11 English Story of English Chapter 2 – English Down The Ages explains the historical journey of the English language from Old English to Modern English and the emergence of New Englishes.
The chapter shows how English was influenced by different languages, historical events, technological developments and globalisation.
For examination preparation, students should focus especially on the three periods of English, characteristics of Old English, development of Middle English, French and Latin influence, printing press, Great Vowel Shift, Modern English and New Englishes.
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