Kindly refer to:Crystal, D. (2019). The Cambridge Encyclopedia of the English Language (3rd Ed.). Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press. as the primary source.
Part 1.Compare these versions of the Lord’s Prayer (first in Old English, then in the Middle English of Wycliffe, and finally in a modern English translation) and comment on any linguistic features such as pronunciation and/or spelling, word order, inflection, pronouns, and vocabulary. Be sure to make comments on both the Old English and Middle English versions. Your comparison should be at least 550 words.
OE: Fæder ureþu þe eart on heofonum;Si þin nama gehalgodto becume þin ricegewurþe ðin willaon eorðan swa swa on heofonumurne gedæghwamlican hlaf syle us todægand forgyf us ure gyltasswa swa we forgyfað urum gyltendumand ne gelæd þu us on costnungeac alys us of yfelesoþlice.ME: Oure fadirthat art in heueneshalewid be thi namethi kyndoom come tobe thi wille donin erthe as in heuenegyue to us this dai oure breed ouer othir substaunceand forgyue to us oure dettisas we forgyuen to oure dettourisand lede us not in to temptaciounbut delyuere us fro yuel.ModE: Our Fatherwho art in heavenHallowed be thy NameThy kingdom comeThy will be doneOn earth as it is in heavenGive us this day our daily breadAnd forgive us our trespassesAs we forgive those who trespass against usAnd lead us not into temptationBut deliver us from evilFor thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the gloryfor ever and everAmenPart 2.200 words each1. In what ways is understanding history during the medieval period important for understanding the English language during that period?2. Can you think of elements in Modern English that make more sense, now that you have an understanding of Old and Middle English?Part 3.Compare the following versions of the Lord’s Prayer in Early Modern English and Modern English. Comment on the changes made over time and how they reflect the changes happening in the language. Comparison should be at least 550 words.Early Modern EnglishDouay-Rheims (1582)OVR FATHER which art in heauen, sanctified be thy name. Let thy kingdom come. Thy wil be done, as in heaun, in earth also. Giue vs today our supersubstantial bread. And foriue vs our debtes, as we also forgiue our debtors, And leade vs not into tentation. But deliuer vs from euil. Amen.The King James Bible (1611)Our father which art in heauen, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdome come. Thy will be done, in earth, as it is in heauen. Giue vs this day our daily bread. And forgiue vs our debts, as we forgiue our debters. And lead vs not into temptation, but deliuer vs from euill: For thine is the kingdome, and the power, and the glory, for euer, Amen.Modern EnglishBook of Common Prayer (1928)Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.The New Testament in Modern English (1963, tr. Phillips)Our Heavenly Father, may your name be honored; May your kingdom come, and your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day the bread we need, Forgive us what we owe to you, as we have also forgiven those who owe anything to us. Keep us clear of temptation, and save us from evil.The Alba House New Testament (1970, tr. Condon)Our Father in Heaven, let your holy name be known, let your kingdom come, and your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today the bread that we need, and forgive us our wrongs, as we forgive those who have done wrong to us. Do not lead us into trial, but save us from evil.
