Лингвофорум

Цитата: Aleksey от сентября 20, 2010, 16:36
-e was a schwa sound up to the start of 17th century when the Great Vowel Shift ended. (i.e. booke - ['bu:kə])

Final -e was already completely lost in spoken English by the time of Chaucer. Except for some dialects.

Цитата: Devorator linguarum от сентября 21, 2010, 17:45
differences in style and syntax cannot be crusial for understanding.

Chancery English was more unified than then English of writers, so, obviously, you'll find much easier to read documents.

Цитата: Devorator linguarum от сентября 21, 2010, 17:45
You are wrong with the dates.

Indeed I am, I've made some research on this theme and I've found the following: Chancery Standart of English was used since the late 15th century and because of Proceedings in Courts of Justice Act 1730 English became the dominant language in all spheres of science and economics.

Цитата: Devorator linguarum от сентября 21, 2010, 18:53
I do not know where has Aleksey taken the date of 18th centure from

I do not know too.

ЦитироватьAs early as 1349 it was ruled that English should be used at schools... and after 1385 even the universities began to conduct their curricula in English

Цитата: autolyk от сентября 21, 2010, 18:40
It took place even untill 14th century. The earliest sign of the official recognition of English by the Norman kings was the Proclamation issued by Henry III in 1258.

Yes. But it seems that only in the 14th century French in official usage has been replaced by English completely. I do not know where has Aleksey taken the date of 18th centure from, but even if the law he mentions really exists, it has nothing to do with the real replacement of French by English that had place several centures earlier.

Цитата: Xico от сентября 21, 2010, 18:45

Цитата: Devorator linguarum от сентября 21, 2010, 17:45
crusial

Another spelling change?

Oh, no! It is just a misspelling.

Цитата: Devorator linguarum от сентября 21, 2010, 17:45
crusial

Another spelling change?

Цитата: Devorator linguarum от сентября 21, 2010, 17:45
I've looked at an English language history manual, there is information there that English replaced French in the 14th century in official documents

It took place even untill 14th century. The earliest sign of the official recognition of English by the Norman kings was the Proclamation issued by Henry III in 1258.

You are wrong with the dates. I've looked at an English language history manual, there is information there that English replaced French in the 14th century in official documents, and became a language of science in the second half of the 16th century.

Vocabulary has changed only slightly since 1600 (of course, we are not talking here about appearance of new terms for new subjects), and differences in style and syntax cannot be crusial for understanding.

Цитата: Devorator linguarum от сентября 20, 2010, 21:18
It seems to me that you confuse something.

And by 'something' you mean...?

Цитата: Devorator linguarum от сентября 20, 2010, 21:18
but usually I have no difficulties in reading English texts since 1600 onwards, even if early in this period their spelling may differ from modern one.

Lexis, style and syntax are the same?

Цитата: Devorator linguarum от сентября 20, 2010, 21:18
Some exceptions do exist, especially in poetry, but poetry is a completely different thing, where archaic, dialectal an other uncommon features are widely present. In fact, I have difficulties even in reading many modern English poets.

Poetry is poetry. Either you understand it or you don't.

It seems to me that you confuse something. Of course, I am not a great specialist in history of English, but usually I have no difficulties in reading English texts since 1600 onwards, even if early in this period their spelling may differ from modern one. Some exceptions do exist, especially in poetry, but poetry is a completely different thing, where archaic, dialectal an other uncommon features are widely present. In fact, I have difficulties even in reading many modern English poets.