Medieval and Modern English

Kindly refer to:
Crystal, D. (2019). The Cambridge Encyclopedia of the English Language (3rd Ed.). Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press. as the primary source.

Part 1.
Compare these versions of the Lord’s Prayer (first in Old English, then in the Middle English of Wycliffe, and finally in a modern English translation) and comment on any linguistic features such as pronunciation and/or spelling, word order, inflection, pronouns, and vocabulary. Be sure to make comments on both the Old English and Middle English versions. Your comparison should be at least 550 words.

OE: Fæder ure
þu þe eart on heofonum;
Si þin nama gehalgod
to becume þin rice
gewurþe ðin willa
on eorðan swa swa on heofonum
urne gedæghwamlican hlaf syle us todæg
and forgyf us ure gyltas
swa swa we forgyfað urum gyltendum
and ne gelæd þu us on costnunge
ac alys us of yfele
soþlice.
ME: Oure fadir
that art in heuenes
halewid be thi name
thi kyndoom come to
be thi wille don
in erthe as in heuene
gyue to us this dai oure breed ouer othir substaunce
and forgyue to us oure dettis
as we forgyuen to oure dettouris
and lede us not in to temptacioun
but delyuere us fro yuel.
ModE: Our Father
who art in heaven
Hallowed be thy Name
Thy kingdom come
Thy will be done
On earth as it is in heaven
Give us this day our daily bread
And forgive us our trespasses
As we forgive those who trespass against us
And lead us not into temptation
But deliver us from evil
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory
for ever and ever
Amen
Part 2.
200 words each
1. In what ways is understanding history during the medieval period important for understanding the English language during that period?
2. Can you think of elements in Modern English that make more sense, now that you have an understanding of Old and Middle English?
Part 3.
Compare the following versions of the Lord’s Prayer in Early Modern English and Modern English. Comment on the changes made over time and how they reflect the changes happening in the language. Comparison should be at least 550 words.
Early Modern English
Douay-Rheims (1582)
OVR FATHER which art in heauen, sanctified be thy name. Let thy kingdom come. Thy wil be done, as in heaun, in earth also. Giue vs today our supersubstantial bread. And foriue vs our debtes, as we also forgiue our debtors, And leade vs not into tentation. But deliuer vs from euil. Amen.
The King James Bible (1611)
Our father which art in heauen, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdome come. Thy will be done, in earth, as it is in heauen. Giue vs this day our daily bread. And forgiue vs our debts, as we forgiue our debters. And lead vs not into temptation, but deliuer vs from euill: For thine is the kingdome, and the power, and the glory, for euer, Amen.
Modern English
Book of Common Prayer (1928)
Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
The New Testament in Modern English (1963, tr. Phillips)
Our Heavenly Father, may your name be honored; May your kingdom come, and your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day the bread we need, Forgive us what we owe to you, as we have also forgiven those who owe anything to us. Keep us clear of temptation, and save us from evil.
The Alba House New Testament (1970, tr. Condon)
Our Father in Heaven, let your holy name be known, let your kingdom come, and your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today the bread that we need, and forgive us our wrongs, as we forgive those who have done wrong to us. Do not lead us into trial, but save us from evil.

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