University of Toronto (Canada)
University of Toronto: History of the English Language
What do you know about the origins of the English language? Explore this resource to learn more about this topic. This resource features links to several helpful sites.
Other
The Origin and History of the English Language
How many native English speakers are there in the world today? Learn important facts and statistics about the English-speaking world as well as a history of the language from its Germanic beginnings to the present.
Rutgers University
Rutgers University: History of the English Language
This site provides a brief description of the history of the English language.
Other
Armstrong Atlantic State University: English Language
Discover more about the history of the English language when you visit this informative site. Students and teachers will benefit from this educational resource.
ClassFlow
Class Flow: How Latin Affects Other Languages
[Free Registration/Login Required] This flipchart shows a mnemonic for the Romance languages, how Latin affects the Romance languages and an example of Latinate words in English.
The Wharton Group
Discover France: History of French Language
Scroll down a bit to find the brief explanations of the history of French and some dialects: Provencal, Creole, and Basque, with links to more information.
Other
California Polytechnic State University: Backgrounds to Romance: Courtly Love
Background information on courtly love as reflected in "romance" literature of the Middle Ages.
Other
Fl International University: History of English Language
This resource presents a brief history of the English language provided by an amateur historian of English and librarian.
Louisiana Department of Education
Louisiana Doe: Louisiana Believes: English Language Arts, Grade 12: Undaunted Courage
Students explore ideas prominent throughout westward expansion and American literature: myth versus reality. The texts present various perspectives of the West. Students consider the idealism and romance of the American spirit versus the...
BBC
Bbc: The Route of English
The Routes of English is a series of four six-week features on the development of English as a language, presented on BBC Channel 4 by host Melvyn Bragg. In addition, there are three special programs which deal with the language of the...
Harvard University
The Great Vowel Shift
Do you know what the Great Vowel Shift is? Check out this site to learn more how this shift played a part in the history of the English Language.
Folger Shakespeare Library
Folger Shakespeare Library: Lesson Plan Archive: Imagery in Hamlet
Lesson plan takes students through an exploration of the figurative language in "Hamlet."
Other
Catalan Language Introductory Page
Gives a background and history of the Catalan language along with a list of the countries where it is the main language spoken.
Ted Nellen
Cyber English (By Ted Nellen): Literary Terms F R
The second of three pages of simple definitions for literary terms. This page, F - R, covers forty-seven terms from "Fable," to "Romance."
Vancouver Island University
Ironies of Happy Endings: Introduction to Twelfth Night
Text of a college lecture that introduces William Shakespeare's "Twelfth Night." It provides some background for the play, including information about Pastoral Romance, the characters Viola and Feste, the language of love, and the...
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Secular Manuscripts
Not all manuscripts during the Middle Ages and Renaissance were religious in nature. This period abounded with volumes that contained histories, romances, fables, and legal and scientific writings. The rise of universities paralleled the...
TED Talks
Ted: Ted Ed: Shakespearean Dating Tips
Beyond giving the world dozens of English language masterpieces and inventing countless words (including the word countless), William Shakespeare, ever the overachieving bard, especially had a way with the romantic turn of phrase....
Other
Carson Newman College: A Brief History of English
This site features a brief history of English. Come and check out the links provided within this site. Students and teachers will benefit from this educational resource. It includes time lines.
Other
Bob's Byway: Glossary of Poetic Terms
Calling itself "unique," Bob's is easy to use, with cross-links throughout, phonetic pronunciation guides when necessary, and many examples and quotations. Click on the letter and scroll for the word.
Harvard University
The Geoffrey Chaucer Page: Main Page
This site from The Geoffrey Chaucer Page provides materials for Harvard's Chaucer classes. It provides a wide range of texts and translations of Chaucer's works along with critical articles from various perspectives and general...
Curated OER
Educational Technology Clearinghouse: Maps Etc: Linguistic Map of Europe, 1901
A linguistic map showing the regional identification of language groups spoken in Europe, including Celtic, Teutonic, Slavonic, Romance, Hellenic, and Turanian.