The History of English Podcast
Alle afleveringen
203 afleveringen, van nieuw naar oud
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Episode 48: The Unity of Alfred’s English
3 september 2014 · 54 min
After defeating the Danes, King Alfred set about reforming the educational system of Wessex. His reforms promoted English to an unprecedented level. His reforms required the translation of many texts from Latin to English, and Alfred himself assisted with those … Continue reading → Lees meer
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Bonus Episode 6: Beowulf Deconstructed
28 augustus 2014 · 25 min
In this bonus episode, Kevin Stroud discusses the new audiobook, “Beowulf Deconstructed.” An excerpt from the audiobook is included.
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Episode 47: The Man Who Saved English
4 augustus 2014 · 1 uur 4 min
King Alfred is the only English monarch to be known as “the Great.” His struggles and ultimate victory over the Danes ensured the survival of the Anglo-Saxon culture and the English language. In this episode, we explore the life of … Continue reading → Lees meer
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Episode 46: Cynewulf and the Kindred Kings
16 juli 2014 · 1 uur 2 min
In this episode, we look at the English terms associated with kings and nobility and explore the concept of Anglo-Saxon kingship. We also look at the poetry of the 9th century poet Cynewulf. The link between kings and Cynewulf is … Continue reading →
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Episode 45: To Coin a Phrase – and Money
26 juni 2014 · 1 uur 5 min
At the end of the 8th century, Western Europe saw its most powerful kings to date. That included Charlemagne in Francia and Offa in Britain. Those kings shared a close relationship which extended to their currency. The establishment of an … Continue reading → Lees meer
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Episode 44: The Romance of Old French
6 juni 2014 · 1 uur 3 min
The modern French language evolved from a Latin dialect spoken in Gaul during the period of the late Roman Empire. That language ultimately became mixed with Old English after the Norman Conquest of 1066. Approximately half of the words in … Continue reading → Lees meer
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Episode 43: Anglo-Saxon Monsters and Mythology
21 mei 2014 · 58 min
Many Anglo-Saxons believed in a world inhabited by monsters and mythological creatures. They also believed in the power of sorcery and witchcraft. These ideas are reflected in the literature of the Anglo-Saxons, most notably the epic poem Beowulf. In this … Continue reading → Lees meer
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Episode 42: Beowulf and Other Viking Ancestors
7 mei 2014 · 50 min
The Viking-era states of Denmark, Sweden and Norway emerged from several North Germanic tribes in Scandinavia. These tribes also included the Geats who were prominently featured in Beowulf. In this episode, we explore the early history of these tribes and … Continue reading → Lees meer
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Bonus Episode 5: Odds and Ends
25 april 2014 · 18 min
In this bonus episode we explore a few odds and ends which didn’t make into the earlier episodes. We examine the Old English words related to knowledge and wisdom. And we also look at the original terms for the … Continue reading →
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Episode 41: New Words From Old English
9 april 2014 · 57 min
The Anglo-Saxons created new words within Old English through the use of compound words, as well as standard prefixes and suffixes. This process expanded the vocabulary of Old English and enabled the language to emerge as an important literary … Continue reading → Lees meer
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Episode 40: Learning Latin and Latin Learning
21 maart 2014 · 55 min
Long before the Normans arrived in England, the Anglo-Saxons were borrowing Latin words from the monastic culture which was emerging in the 7th and 8th centuries. In this episode, we explore the spread of monastic schools and scholarship in Anglo-Saxon … Continue reading → Lees meer
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Episode 39: Not Lost in Translation
5 maart 2014 · 50 min
The early Christian Church in Britain gradually embraced English as a way to spread to the message of the Church to the masses. This required the translation of Christian words and concepts from Latin into English. In this episode, … Continue reading → Lees meer
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Episode 38: Nobles, Nuptials and a Cowherd Poet
17 februari 2014 · 1 uur 5 min
The kingdom of Northumbria emerged as a center of scholarship and learning during the 7th century. We explore the political and religious events which led to the Northumbrian Renaissance. We also explore the importance of strategic marriages and marital terms … Continue reading → Lees meer
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Episode 37: Seafarers, Poets and Traveling Minstrels
21 januari 2014 · 1 uur 6 min
Old English poets were ‘word weavers’ who often created new words to comply with the strict requirements of Germanic poetry. In this episode, we explore the role of the traveling minstrel in Anglo-Saxon culture. We also explore the etymology of … Continue reading → Lees meer
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Episode 36: Finalizing the Alphabet
23 december 2013 · 43 min
We complete our look at the first Old English alphabet by exploring the remaining letters of the original alphabet. The north-south divide resulted in distinct letters and different spelling conventions. But over time, these differences blended together. Once again, we … Continue reading → Lees meer
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Episode 35: English Sounds and Roman Letters
12 december 2013 · 56 min
As the sounds of English evolved in the 7th century, the first English scribes began to write the language with the Roman alphabet. But the English scribes had to invent ways to represent the unique sounds of Old English. In … Continue reading →
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Episode 34: Sounds Like Old English
27 november 2013 · 44 min
The sound of English began to change as soon as the first Anglo-Saxons arrived in Britain. We explore the specific sound changes which occurred and the impact which those changes had on modern English.
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Episode 33: Missionaries and Manuscripts
7 november 2013 · 49 min
In this episode, we explore the events which led to the first document written in the English language – the laws of Aethelbert of Kent. We look at the rise of monasteries, the role of St. Patrick in the conversion … Continue reading →
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Bonus Episode 4: Let Me ‘Buoy’ Your Spirits
29 oktober 2013 · 18 min
How do you pronounce ‘buoy’? In this bonus episode, we explore the history of the word and the reasons why the word is pronounced differently in various parts of the English-speaking world.
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Episode 32: The Oldest English
18 oktober 2013 · 38 min
We explore the early Anglo-Saxon kingdoms and their regional Old English dialects. The ‘Saxons’ soon become the ‘English.’ And ‘English’ provides the name of a new nation.
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Episode 31: Saxons, Franks and Other West Germans
25 september 2013 · 1 uur 5 min
During the period of the Anglo-Saxon migrations, the West Germanic tribes of northern Europe continued to fight for power against the Romans and against each other. This period saw the emergence of the High German dialects, the creation of the … Continue reading → Lees meer
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Episode 30: The Celtic Legacy
6 september 2013 · 1 uur 7 min
We explore the linguistic legacy of the native Celtic Britons on Modern English. The historical legacy of the legendary Celtic king named Arthur is also examined.
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Episode 29: The Anglo-Saxon Invasion
12 augustus 2013 · 55 min
The Anglo-Saxons arrived in the British shores as permanent settlers in the 5th century. They encountered native Britons who spoke Latin and Celtic languages. The two groups soon fought for control of the region we know today as England. We … Continue reading → Lees meer
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Episode 28: Angles, Saxons, Jutes and Frisians
18 juli 2013 · 44 min
We explore the origins of the Angles, Saxons, Jutes and Frisians in the North Sea region of northern Europe. The early raids on the coasts of Britain and Gaul set the stage for the later mass migrations. The similarities between … Continue reading →
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Episode 27: Broken Empire and Fractured Languages
24 juni 2013 · 50 min
Parchment books begin to replace papyrus scrolls as the Western Roman Empire crumbles. New Germanic Kingdoms emerge in the west, but Latin remains the dominant language in Western Europe. Latin itself begins to fracture without the Roman educational system to … Continue reading → Lees meer
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Episode 26: Imperial Crisis and the Goths
8 juni 2013 · 1 uur 2 min
Rome is racked by ‘Imperial Crisis’ while strong Germanic tribes gather along the Rhine and Danube. The Alamanni, Franks, Vandals and Goths rise to power and provide us with many words in modern English. The Goths translate the Bible into … Continue reading → Lees meer
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Episode 25: Germanic Markings and the Runes
28 mei 2013 · 37 min
We explore the expansion of Germanic tribes into the Danube region where the Germans encounter the Etruscan alphabet. The Germanic runes develop and provide the first opportunity for the Germanic tribes to write their own language.
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Episode 24: Germanic Mythology
5 mei 2013 · 49 min
The role of Germanic mythology on modern English is explored. Germanic gods and religious traditions are examined with an emphasis on words and phrases which are still found in modern English.
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Episode 23: Tacitus and Germanic Society
2 april 2013 · 48 min
We explore the Germanic languages during the 1st century AD. The society of the early Germans is examined in the context of ‘Germania’ by the Roman historian Tacitus. Modern English words originating during this period are also discussed.
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Episode 22: Early Germanic Grammar
21 maart 2013 · 35 min
We look at the grammar of the early Germanic tribes. The decreasing use of inflexions is explored. Elements of modern English grammar are identified within the original Germanic language.
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Episode 21: Early Germanic Words
5 maart 2013 · 42 min
We look at the first inscription found in a Germanic language and the vocabulary of the early Germanic tribes. The impact of Grimm’s Law on the early Germanic language is examined.
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Bonus Episode 2: History of the Alphabet
24 februari 2013 · 27 min
Kevin discusses the new History of the Alphabet series. An excerpt from the series is included. The history of the ‘constant consonants’ (B,D,L,M,N,P,R,T) is explored.
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Episode 20: The Early Germanic Tribes
5 februari 2013 · 46 min
The first Germanic-speaking tribes emerge in northern Europe. We explore the connection between these tribes and the original Indo-Europeans. We then look at the expansion of the Germanic tribes into the Celtic region of central Europe and their early conflicts … Continue reading → Lees meer
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Episode 19: The Romanization of Britain
23 januari 2013 · 52 min
The Roman Empire emerges following the death of Julius Caesar. Emperor Claudius sets his sights on Britain, and the native Celtic culture becomes Romanized. We look at the evolution of Latin words related to law, money and social classes.
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Episode 18: Keeping Time With The Romans
2 januari 2013 · 53 min
We explore the origin of modern English words related to time. A direct connection is made to the calendar reforms of Julius Caesar. The etymology of English words related to time illustrate the combined influences of the Germanic languages and … Continue reading → Lees meer
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Episode 17: Ancient Celts and the Latin Invasion of Gaul
15 december 2012 · 46 min
We look at the arrival of Celtic speaking people in Europe, and the invasion of Celtic Gaul by the Romans. Celtic is replaced by Latin in Western Europe, leading to the modern Romance languages. Celtic words in modern English are … Continue reading →
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Episode 16: The Rise of Rome – and Latin
30 november 2012 · 39 min
We look at the rise of the Roman Republic from a small Italian city-state to the dominant political and military power of the Mediterranean. The expansion of Rome also led to the expansion of Latin which emerged as a common … Continue reading →
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Episode 15: Etruscans, Romans and a Modified Alphabet
13 november 2012 · 38 min
The first Indo-Europeans settle into Italy, but they encounter an existing civilization known as the Etruscans. The Etruscans borrow the alphabet from the Greeks, and soon pass it on to the Romans. Our modern alphabet finally begins to emerge.
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Episode 14: The Greek Word Horde
1 november 2012 · 46 min
The Classical Greek period is explored with an emphasis on Modern English words which originated during this period of Greek history.
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Episode 13: Greece, Phoenicia and the Alphabet
17 oktober 2012 · 39 min
Mycenaean Greek writing disappears during the Greek Dark Age, but the Greeks encounter the Phoenicians and adopt their alphabet. The Greek alphabet results in the spread of literacy. Modern English words from this period of Greek history are examined. Lees meer
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Episode 12: Early Greek, Hittite and the Trojan War (Extended Version)
5 oktober 2012 · 1 uur 13 min
The first Greek and Hittite civilizations emerge from Indo-European tribes in the eastern Mediterranean. The Greeks adopt an early form of writing and fight the Trojans. An alphabet allows the ancient history of the Greeks to be recorded in the … Continue reading → Lees meer
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Bonus Episode 1
19 september 2012 · 13 min
Kevin Stroud updates listeners regarding the podcast and the website for the podcast. Kevin also answers some questions posed by listeners.
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Episode 11: Germanic Ancestors
9 september 2012 · 30 min
We look at the emergence of the Usatovo culture which spoke an Indo-European dialect believed to be the ancient ancestor of the Germanic languages – including English. We also look at the later migrations of the Indo-European tribes throughout Europe … Continue reading → Lees meer
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Episode 10: Early Indo-European Migrations
5 september 2012 · 43 min
The emergence of the first Indo-Europeans and the early migrations of these steppe herders is examined. The specific advantages favoring the expansion of these people is explored in detail.
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Episode 9: Who Were the Indo-Europeans?
24 augustus 2012 · 41 min
The evidence is examined to determine when and where the original Indo-Europeans lived. Based upon this evidence, the probable identity of the first Indo-Europeans is revealed.
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Episode 8: Indo-European Grammar (Where have all the inflexions gone?)
16 augustus 2012 · 33 min
The grammar of the original Indo-European language is compared to Modern English. We explore the word endings called ‘inflexions’ which were a prominent feature of the original Indo-European language.
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Episode 7: More Indo-European Words
9 augustus 2012 · 31 min
We complete our review Indo-European words which have impacted modern English. Social terms are explored to provide an insight into Indo-European society and culture.
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Episode 6: Indo-European Words
26 juli 2012 · 38 min
A look at words used by the original Indo-Europeans and the clues such words provide to the identity of the first Indo-Europeans. The etymology of modern English words is explored in relation to the original Indo-European words.
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Episode 5: Centum, Satem and the Letter C
18 juli 2012 · 43 min
A look at the early division of the Indo-European languages into the Centum and Satem languages. The sound shift which marks the division of the Centum and Satem languages is then explored in the context of the modern English letter … Continue reading → Lees meer
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Episode 4: A Grimm Brother Resurrects the Dead (…language)
11 juli 2012 · 50 min
The famous fairy-tale collector Jacob Grimm formulated the rules which help modern linguists reconstruct the ancient Indo-European language. In this episode, we look at Grimm’s Law and how the Germanic languages evolved from the original ancestral language. Lees meer