etymology - k. johnson€¦ · etymology the study of word origins. where do the words we use come...
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Etymology
The study of word origins
Where do the words we use come from?
• English is a blend of words from many other languages
• These words made their way into the English language in many ways
o Occupation by other countries/cultures
o English occupation of other countries/cultures
o Brought by immigrants
o Cultural trends and fashions The English language is always changing!
Greek and Latin have had the
biggest influence on English.
This influence started thousands
of years ago…
The Mediterranean Sea
Med = middleTerr = land
The Mediterranean Sea is in the middle of the land where western cultures developed.
The earliest western cultures were Greek and Roman.
Greek LanguageThe first western written language.
The Greeks had an empire that included the lands bordering the eastern Mediterranean Sea, Persia, and Egypt. The Greek language and culture spread throughout this region.
Alexander the Great was the Greek leader
responsible for the spread of the
Greek Empire.
477 BC –149 BC
Roman InfluenceLatin was the language spoken in ancient Rome.
When the Romans conquered territories—
including most of Europe—they brought their
language to those territories. That is why
there are so many words in our language that
have Latin roots.
The Roman Empire
Rome
117 AD
The Romance Languages
LATIN (Ancient Rome)
Italian
Spanish
French
Portuguese
The Roman Empire
Rome Greece
Britain
44 BC –476 AD
How Latin words got into English Language
The Roman Empire expanded into
Britain, bringing Latin
Latin words found their way into the
Anglo-Saxon languageof the people in Ancient Britain
How Latin words got into English Language
The Roman Empire expanded into
Britain, bringing Latin
Latin words found their way into the
Anglo-Saxon languageof the people in Ancient Britain
Latin word “stratum”
means “layered road”
For Example:
How Latin words got into English Language
The Roman Empire expanded into
Britain, bringing Latin
Latin words found their way into the
Anglo-Saxon languageof the people in Ancient Britain
Latin word “stratum”
means “layered road”
“Stratum”became “straets”in Anglo-Saxon
For Example:
How Latin words got into English Language
The Roman Empire expanded into
Britain, bringing Latin
Latin words found their way into the
Anglo-Saxon languageof the people in Ancient Britain
Latin word “stratum”
means “layered road”
“Stratum”became “straets”in Anglo-Saxon
Now called“streets” in
modern English
For Example:
How Latin words got into English Language
The Roman Empire expanded into
Britain, bringing Latin
Latin words found their way into the
Anglo-Saxon languageof the people in Ancient Britain
Latin word “stratum”
means “layered road”
“Stratum”became “straets”in Anglo-Saxon
Now called“streets” in
modern English
Miles of streets and roads were created.
Mile is from the Latin word mille, which means 1,000.
The Roman mile was measured as 1,000 paces.
For Example:
The English Language
This is how English as we know it today evolved over
the centuries, influenced by many other European
languages.
European Invasions of Britain
Anglians from the area that is now the Netherlands invaded in 550 AD.
Vikings from Scandinavia invaded in 875 AD.
Finally, the Normans from northern France invaded in 1066 AD. English language was banned by the Normans.
All of these invaders brought their languages, which influenced the English language. These influences can be traced through etymology.
Influence of the
Catholic Church
The Catholic Church
was the official
religion in all of
Europe until the 1500’s.
The official language
of the Catholic Church
was Latin. So, no
matter what country,
all services in the
Catholic Church were
spoken in Latin. All
priests and church
officials spoke Latin.
1 AD –1950’s
Renaissance Influence
During the Renaissance, educated people in Europe became interested in Ancient Greece.
It was a time of expansion of knowledge in the areas of science, medicine, art and architecture.
This is how many Greek word roots made their way into the English language, especially in these subject areas.
Renaissance = Rebirth
1400’s-1500’s
The Influence Continues Today
Latin continued to be a universally
understood language among the educated of Europe until the
1800’s. The Catholic
Church continued to use Latin until
the 1950’s.
Our language continues to show influences from the
Greek language, especially in the area
of science.
England Becomes the Invader1600 - 1900
The stars indicate areas that were
once colonies of Britain, and where
English was (and still is) spoken.
Why Should YOU Learn Word Roots?
• You will recognize word chunks in unfamiliar words and be able to narrow down the possible meaning of the word
• It will help you with vocabulary in many subject areas
• You will be better able to pronounce unfamiliar words
• You will become a better speller• Since many languages have common roots to Latin
and Greek, it makes learning a foreign language easier
Some Common RootsCan you think of words that contain these roots?
ortho = straight
Some Common RootsCan you think of words that contain these roots?
ortho = straight dyna = power
Some Common RootsCan you think of words that contain these roots?
ortho = straight dyna = power ann = year
Some Common RootsCan you think of words that contain these roots?
ortho = straight dyna = power ann = year
orb = circle
Some Common RootsCan you think of words that contain these roots?
ortho = straight dyna = power ann = year
orb = circle pop = people
Some Common RootsCan you think of words that contain these roots?
ortho = straight dyna = power ann = year
orb = circle pop = people struct = build
Some Common RootsCan you think of words that contain these roots?
ortho = straight dyna = power ann = year
orb = circle pop = people struct = build
terr = land
Some Common RootsCan you think of words that contain these roots?
ortho = straight dyna = power ann = year
orb = circle pop = people struct = build
terr = land alt = high
Some Common RootsCan you think of words that contain these roots?
ortho = straight dyna = power ann = year
orb = circle pop = people struct = build
terr = land alt = highreg = ruledom = rule
Etymology Exercise
Directions: Look up the following words. Write
each word, its definition, and its etymology on
your paper.
1. Senior
2. Educate
3. Ambiguity
4. Pallor
5. Homework: Find the origins of your own last name. You
may have to use the Internet for help.