中期英语词汇中法语借词的特征及社会影响

11世纪初到14世纪中叶,英法两国之间战争不断,在社会变革的同时,语言词汇也发生了相应的变化。中期英语中法语借词的特点在于:(1)法语借词与本土英语既有同义性,又有差异。(2)出现了法语借词加英语词缀或法语词缀加英语词根构成另一个新词等现象。(3)法语借词进入英语之后,其词义出现扩展、缩小、升格、降格等现象。法语借词使英国社会不同阶层的人所使用的语言有所区别。

On Features and Social Influence of Borrowed Words from French in Middle English

The continuous war between Britain and France from the beginning of the 11th century to the middle of the 14th century resulted in not only the revolution of society but also the changes of(language) and vocabulary.The features of borrowed words from French in Middle English include:(1) borrowed words from French and native English have both similarities and differences;(2) there(appeared) borrowed words with English affixes or French affixed with English root;(3) there appeared the changes of meaning such as extension,specialization,elevation and degradation.Due to the borrowed words from French,British people from different social classes used English in a different manner.