What is the difference between "a hearty welcome" and "a cordial reception"? In a brief, animated history of the English language, Kate Gardoqui explains why these semantically equal phrases evoke such different images.
Gadorqui asserts that when the Normans invaded the English territories in 1066, the aristocracy started using words of French and Latin origin in order to differenciate themselves from the peasantry. The author explains how this historical fact can account for the use of words of Latin origin in formal discourse nowadays, while words of Saxon origin remain restrained to informal discourse.
No hay comentarios:
Publicar un comentario