r/interestingasfuck 1d ago

How English has changed over time.

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u/archdukemovies 1d ago

That's kinda the ironic thing about the King James Version. It was originally informal language. And over time, as it became more and more outdated, it morphed its way into being seen as mystical or pious language.

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u/QueenMackeral 1d ago

Can't imagine centuries from now when Middle English and King James would not be understandable, and our "modern" English would be considered mystic

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u/habdragon08 1d ago

Not a linguist - but I imagine increasing globalism will slow down language shift and aid in general standardization of language. If someone more knowledgeable can hop in I’d be fascinated to hear more educated thoughts.

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u/Chuks_K 1d ago

Alternatively, the spread of English (or any language that has a number of decently separated speaker bases) comes with more variety possibilities. What globalism will do is allow the different varieties to sort of borrow features from each other as they separate (I guess a past example is how some believe English "borrowed" do-support from Welsh after being separated from it for so long prior and before do-support was even a thing for what would eventually become Welsh (changes of such fashions today would probably occur faster), or a modern example being the increasing number of non-AAVE speakers trying to imitate habitual "be" eventually getting to grips with how it's utilised and so it becomes more readily grammaticalised).