French Influence on English

 

The Middle English period was most prolific in adding words from French to the vocabulary. This influx of French words was brought about by the victory of the Conqueror and by the political and social consequences of that victory. But it began slowly and continued with varying tempo for a long time. In this movement two stages can be observed, an earlier and a later, with the year 1250 as the approximate dividing line.

Before the year 1250, almost 900 French words appeared in English. Many such words were such as the lower class would become familiar with through contact with French speaking nobility. These were words like baron, noble, dame, servant, messenger, feast, minstrel, juggler, largess, duke, duchess, prince, sovereign, peer, marquis, squire etc.

There were some words introduced into English through literary channels like story, rime, lay, douzepers (12 peers of the Charlemagne romances).

In the period after 1250, those who were accustomed to speak French were turning increasingly to the use of English. As a result, there came into the English vocabulary, common words from French related to various vistas of life.

Classification	Words
Governmental and Administrative Words	Crown, state, empire, realm, reign, royal, prerogative authority, sovereign, majesty, scepter, tyrant, usurp, oppress, court, council, parliament, assembly, statute, treaty, alliance, record, repeal, adjourn, tax, subsidy, revenue, tally, exchequer, subject, allegiance, rebel, traitor, treason, exile, public, liberty.   Titles of office: chancellor, treasurer, chamberlain, marshal, governor, councilor, minister, viscount, warden, castellan, mayor, constable, coroner, crier.   Economic organization of society: manor, demense, bailiff, vassal, homage, peasant, bondman, slave, servant, caitiff.
Legal system	Arson, trespass, larceny, treason, assize, justice, curfew, judge, jury, indict, verdict, prison, commission, license, salute, prisoner, punish, plaintiff, plea, suit, defendant, advocate, attorney, bill, petition, complaint, inquest, summon, panel, evidence, proof, bail, ransom, sentence decree award, fine, forfeit, gaol.
Ecclesiastical words	Religion, theology, sermon, homily, sacrament, baptism, communion, confession, penance, prayer, orison, lesson passion, psalmody.   Rank/class: clergy, clerk, prelate, cardinal, league, dean, chaplain, parson, pastor, vicar, sexton, abbess, novice, friar, hermit.   Names of objects associated with service: crucifix, crosier, sanctuary surplice, censer, incense, lectern, image, chancel, chantry, chapter, abbey, covenant, priory, hermitage, cloister.   Theological concepts: creator, savior, trinity, virgin, saint, miracle, mystery, faith, heresy, schism, reverence, devotion, sacrilege, simony, temptation, damnation, penitence, contrition, remission, absolution, redemption, salvation, immortality.   Virtues: virtue piety, sanctity, charity, mercy, pity, obedience   Adjectives: solemn, divine, reverend, devout   Verbs: preach, pray, chant, repent, confess, adore, sacrifice convert, anoint, ordain.
Army and Navy	Peace, enemy, arms, battle, combat, skirmish, siege, defense, ambush, stratagem, retreat, soldier, garrison, guard, spy, dart, lance, banner, mail, buckler, archer, chieftain, moat, havoc.   Names of officers: captain lieutenant, sergeant   Verbs: arm, array, harness, brandish, vanquish, besiege, defend
Fashion, food and social life	Fashion, dress, apparel, habit, gown, robe, garment, attire, cape, cloak, coat, frock, collar, veil, train, chemise, petticoat, lace, embroidery, pleat, gusset, buckle, button, tassel, plume, kerchief, mitten, garter, galoshes, boots   Colours: blue, brown, vermilion, scarlet, saffron, russet, tawny.   Luxuries: jewel, ornament, brooch, chaplet, ivory, enamel   Precious stones: turquoise, amethyst, topaz, garnet, ruby, emerald, sapphire, pearl, diamond, crystal, coral, beryl.   Food: dinner, supper, feast, repast, mess, appetite, taste, sustenance, salmon, sardine, oyster, porpoise, venison, beef, veal, mutton, pork, bacon, sausage, tripe, fowl, poultry, gruel, toast, biscuit, cream, sugar, olives, salad, lettuce, clove, cinnamon, nutmeg, spice, mustard, vinegar, roast, boil, stew, fry, grate, mince etc   Fruits: raisin, fig, date, grape, orange, lemon, pomegranate, cherry, peach   Social life: curtain, couch, chair, cushion, screen, lamp, lantern, sconce, chandelier, blanket, quilt, coverlet, towel, basin, wardrobe, closet, pantry, recreation, solace leisure dance, carol, revel, fool, melody, music, chess, conversation, joust, tournament, pavilion, forest, park
Art, learning and medicine	Art, painting, scripture, music, beauty, colour, figure, image, tone, palace, mansion, chamber, ceiling, cellar, chimney, lintel, latch, lattice, tower, porch, pillar, base.   Literature: literature, poet, rime, prose, romance, chronicle, tragedy, prologue, preface, title, volume, chapter, parchment, paper, pen, treatise, study, logic, geometry, grammar, noun, clause, gender.   Medicine: medicine, physician, surgeon, apothecary, malady, pain, palsy, gout, jaundice, leper, paralytic, plague, pestilence, anatomy, stomach, pulse, remedy, ointment, balm, alkali, poison.
Occupation	Tailor painter, mason, carpenter, barber, and jeweler.   Luxury trades: mercer, draper, haberdasher,
Attitude of mind	Mercy, pity, charity, humility, duty, courtesy, repentance.
Family relationships	Distant relations: uncle, aunt, nephew niece
Surnames	Personal features: Longfellow, Longman, Brown, White Occupation: Baker, Goldsmith, Smith, Tailor Place Names: Bridges, Attwood, Marsh, Rivers Genealogy: Fitz William, Johnson Literal translation of French names: Armstrong (Fortinbras), Drinkwater (Boileau)

 

Words borrowed in the 16^th, 17^th centuries

Portmanteau, rendezvous, coquette, parole, brigade.

Words borrowed in the 18^th century

a.       Fashionable life and polite pastimes- ballet, connoisseur, malapropos, beau, suite, salon, boulevard, vignette, cuisine, etiquette, debut, souvenir, route, morale.

b.       French revolution- regime, tricoulor, guillotine.