The Bible

By nisbah
  • 401

    Religion 5-7th Century

    Brought in mainly because of missionaries, who used the Roman alphabet. Main language used was Latin at this time. During this period, it was compulsory to attend the Church.
  • 450

    Latinate words (5th-7th Century)

    Came to England with missionaries who bought Christianity. It became the language of religion and education (held prestige). Around 8000 new words came into English in 16th century from Latin. Elevated/polysyllabic lexis. 30% of our vocabulary today is based on/ or from Latin.
  • Oct 21, 1384

    John Wycliffe - 1384

    First translation of the Bible into English. Used Latin syntax because it was translated directly from Latin. He opposed to the Church's power as he believed that the priests were lazy and their literacy wasn't very good. He believed that everyone should have access to the Bible. It was translated in Oxford. He was condemned - executed.
  • Oct 21, 1476

    Printing Press - 1476

    It was bought from Europe. It was a slow and halting process as there were a wide range of spellings. Dutch workers came too during this period of time. It was the beginning of spelling standardisation but pronounciation was still changing.
  • Oct 21, 1526

    William Tyndale - 1526

    2nd translation of the Bible. Introduced idioms (new phrases). It had lots of neologisms. It was translated from Hebrew/Greek. It was more for the common man. Translated by groups of people. More Modern version than Wycliffe. He went to jail for a year in 1535 and in 1536 he was found guilty of heracy and was executed. However, he died before he could be executed so his bones were dug up and burnt.
  • Oct 21, 1536

    Reformation of the Church - (1536-1540)

    There were regional differences during standardisation. English language was different all over England. Communication was slow. Henry split from Rome to divorce Catherine. Henry became the head of the Church of England (Henry VIII). Church services used to be in Latin before reformation.
  • Oct 21, 1547

    The Human Reformation

    England on the eve of Reformation was predominantly agriculture. 90% of Englishmen worked on the land.
    Average life expectancy was 38 years old and 30% of children died before the age of ten. Pneumonia was powerful and widespread.
    Church was the institution that bound communities together.

  • King James Bible - Background

    In 1603, King James VI of Scotland came, as James I, to the throne of England. The Church was divided between Puritans and other Reformed groups on one side and Conservative and Pro-Catholic groups on the other side. James was held in February 1604.

  • King James Bible - 1611

    It was the third translation. Came directly from the Bishop Bible. It was translated from Latin. It used Latin syntax. It was written to be read out loud in Church. Main influence was Tyndale. It was published to improve previous translation.

  • Anglo Saxon Lexis - 432 AD

    Germanic tribes. Language was inflected by putting plurals on the end "ing". Basic lexis "modre" "fadre".