english language

[gemweeks]

does anyone know what was the main factor that caused the english language to become standardised?

[Quizmonster]

The printing press, without a doubt, if you mean re spelling, punctuation etc.

[gemweeks]

in alittle more detail would be great!?

[Quizmonster]

Click http://www.chass.utoronto.ca/~cpercy/courses/6362O
lague1.htm for a helpful website. It goes against what I said in my first response to some extent, by making the point that the early printers (Caxton etc) may have had little to do with standardising spelling. However, it still seems obvious to me that - just by making written material widely available - printing must have had a major impact on people's reactions to words.

Once having seen a word on paper, there must have been a temptation to express it thus oneself when writing rather than using some personal version. I'd imagine the printed word had an even greater influence in that sense back then than it does even now. I hope the opposing viewpoints are of some help to you, Gem.

[Jaybee]

Dr Johnson's Dictionary was a critical factor too.

[gemweeks]

thats great, thanks for your help!!