Expert: Malcolm Speechley - 7/12/2010

Question
Is there any way of finding out the process by which Celtic (and Latin) were replaced by Anglo-Saxon during the fifth, sixth and seventh centuries?

From what few records there are,(eg Laws of King Ine) it seems that areas of Celtic law and presumably speech remained for some time in Wessex and presumably in other areas ruled by the Anglo-Saxons.

Thanks

Answer
Hello Michael

It would not be wholly true to say that the Anglo Saxon language replaced the Celtic language.

It is, of course true that as as the Anglo Saxons Gradually conquered more of the territory that was to become England their Language become the dominant one in these areas, but not necessarily the sole Language.

The language that did emerge and the language that we speak today is not the replacement of the ancient Celtic language but rather the result of a merger between a number of languages including Celtic and Norse, but also French (As a result of the Norman Conquest and numerous other contacts with France)and other European countries. Later on the countries of the former British Empire also made their contribution.

The process may be said to be ongoing there are with many Americanisms creeping into our language (American English may be said to a a version of English distinct from British English)
examples include Fries (chips), Guy (man) and Taboo (Forbidden). This last word is actually taken by the Americans from the Hawaiian Language which we then borrowed from the Americans)

Far From replacing the Ancient Celtic language The Anglo Saxon language is arguably the loser in this process. There are after all many people in Wales who still speak Welsh and a number of people in Scotland and Ireland who still speak one of the Gaelic dialect. By contrast you would be hard pushed to find anyone who can speak pure Anglo Saxon. Indeed a typical conversation between English people will probably be composed of only 40% of words of Anglo Saxon origin.

The reason for Celtic influence in Speech and laws is because the takeover of the Island was a gradual process and the Welsh controlled a large chunk of what was to become English territory well into the eighth century. Also many of the Britons did not retreat into Wales but integrated themselves into Anglo Saxon communities. In this way they were able to influence many aspects of English life.

I hope you have found this answer useful.

Best Wishes

Malcolm.