Unit One A Brief History of English

Unit One A Brief History of EnglishPaul Roberts 《英语简史》

Text outline 1. para.1-4 (introduction and structure) 2.para.5-8 (Old English) 3. para.9-14 (Middle English) 4.para.15-19 (Modern English) 5.conclusion (para.20)

Part 1: IntroductionA brief history of UK and English language

a notion of… No understanding of the English language(动名词结构做主语) can be very satisfactory without a notion of the history of the language (介词短语作状语)-if we do not know the history of the language notion: an idea or belief about sth.

Words and expressions But we shall have to make do with just a notion. 勉强对付，凑合使用 Shall: will(用在第一人称)

to hit the high spots the highlights 先挑重要的、明显的或好的事做 i.e.: I won't discuss the entire report. I'll just hit the high spots. 我不从头到尾谈这个报告了, 挑重要的来说 说

Words and expressions…Jutes were a long time securing themselves in England Secure: to make safe 很长一段时间他们为自卫而战

Words and expression…or be reduced to slavery Reduce to(被动语态): to bring or force someone to (esp, a weaker or less favorable state)使某人陷于较弱或不利的状况 i. e. she was reduced to begging for a living 她被迫沦落至乞讨为生。 沦为奴隶

Words and expressions…were firmly established To cause to be firmly settled or accepted in a particular state or position使立足，确立，使被接受 She established herself as the most powerful minister in the new government. 她在新政府中使自己成为最有势力的部长 Now that he has established himself in the team, he is playing with much more confidence. 现在他已确立了在这支球队里的地位。所以打球更加有信心

The three periodsOld English: 7th century-1100 (Anglo Saxon period) Middle English: 1100 to 1450 (Norman Conquest) Modern English 1500-the present day (Renaissance)

Part 2: Old English Old English: 7th century-1100 (Anglo Saxon period or Medieval period)

come into history When England came into history… When England began its history….

NorthumbriaA medieval kingdom of Angles 653-954 Northern England and Southeastern Scotland

exercise control over 对……实施控制，控制 The State shall exercise macro-regulations and control over the total payroll. 国家对工 资总量实行宏观调控。

Northumbria

Wessex: West SaxonsAnglo Saxon kingdom 6th century-10th century South-west England