Language of Geoffrey Chaucer and Its Relationship

¶ … language of Geoffrey Chaucer and its relationship to the development of English

In both literature and language, Geoffrey Chaucer made an important contribution to the development of English. In terms of the development of the English language his works and their popularity are related to the importance of the Midland dialect. This dialect formed part of the Mercian dialect of Old English, which was to assume significance due to the fact that it,

developed into centers of university, economic, and courtly life. East Midland, one of the subdivisions of Midland, had by that time become the speech of the entire metropolitan area of the capital, London, and probably had spread south of the Thames River into Kent and Surrey. "(ibid)

This form of the English language was disseminated and popularized partly by poets in the 14th century -- including Chaucer. In essence the works of Chaucer therefore added to the prominence of the East Midland dialect and, coupled with other historical factors, was to lead to the development of the East Midland dialect into modern Standard English. ( ibid)

In terms of his literary works Chaucer's writings themselves had a profound impact. "His artistic eminence was generously recognized during his own life-time; his admirers and imitators perpetuated many of his usages and mannerisms during the ensuing period." ( Schlauch 7) This aspect would also include his influence on writers such as William Shakespeare.

However critics also stress that it would not be entirely correct to overstate Chaucer's influence on the language of the time. " ... It would be a mistake to argue (as was formerly done) that Chaucer's creative work was a sole or even a primary factor in the achievement of an English national language." ( ibid) These critics are of the opinion that while Chaucer did influence language development in certain respects, much of his linguistic influence was restricted to "the poetic diction of his imitators." ( ibid)

Furthermore, in this regard Schlauch also refers to the fact that Chaucer's writing and use of language often differed from the accepted form of London English, For example,

....it can be established that Chaucer inclined to some slight archaisms in usage, perhaps for aesthetic reasons such as the requirements of metre, as compared with the current speech of London in his time. It is likely, for instance, that the typical unaccented final -e ? Of Middle English was more frequently suppressed in ordinary conversation than is the case in Chaucer's verse, where scansion indicates that it was normally (though not universally) retained except before a word beginning with a vowel.

( ibid)