Module 2. Etymology of English Words (part 1)

English vocabulary is among the most extensive ‘borrowers’ of foreign words

• True, there are numerous borrowings from Latin, French, Greek, Spanish, etc.

• False, most English words are native word stock

The first century BC borrowings include:

• Germanic tribes’ vocabulary

• Latin words

• Spanish words

• French words

What is the source language of these borrowings?

Plum, cherry, kitchen, wine

(a)  

Which of these are examples of 5th century AD borrowings?

• street, wall

• die, take

• ski, skirt

• Avon, London

In the 7th century AD numerous religious and church related words were borrowed from Latin.

Name at least 5 of those.

The word “school” comes from:

• Latin

• English native

• Spanish

• Greek

What is it that unites the following group of words?

sky, skin, skill, ski, skirt

Norman French borrowings included:

• administrative terms

• legal terms

• military terms

• educational terms

• art terms

The words court, judge, justice, crime and prison were borrowed during:

• The Norman Conquest (1066 and further)

• The Renaissance period

• The 7th century AD

• The 5th century AD

What are some examples of everyday words belonging to Norman French borrowings?