Why Aren't Old English and Middle English Studied as Much as Latin in Academia?

When discussing the study of ancient languages in academia, it's often surprising to learn that Old English (also known as Anglo-Saxon) and Middle English receive less attention compared to Latin. This article explores the reasons behind this disparity and delves into the unique aspects of these languages.

Myth vs. Fact: Old English and Anglo-Saxon

One common misconception is that Old English is considered Anglo-Saxon with a hyphen. This is erroneous. Old English is the name given to the language spoken in England from the 5th to 11th centuries, and it is distinct from Anglo-Saxon as a hyphenated term. Old English, rather than Anglo-Saxon, is the correct designation for this period of language.

The Role of Latin in Intellectual Communication

Latin played a central role in the intellectual and scholarly communication of the Western world for centuries. Authors such as Newton and Pascal used Latin for their major works, including Principia Mathematica and Discours de la méthode. The famous phrase, "Cogito ergo sum" (I think, therefore I am), by René Descartes, exemplifies the widespread use of Latin in philosophical and literary contexts.

Intelligent writings and treatises were often composed in Latin because it was the lingua franca of intellectuals. This facilitated cross-cultural understanding and knowledge dissemination throughout Europe. Latin was the language of choice for legal, religious, and scholarly texts, ensuring that the knowledge and ideas shared were accessible to a wide audience.

Latin and the Fragmentation of Languages

Latin's prominence also contributed to the academic study of how languages evolve over time. The historical and linguistic studies of Latin have provided profound insights into the development of the Romance languages, including Modern English. This makes Latin a crucial subject for linguists and historians.

Literature and Linguistics Focus

The sheer volume of Latin literature and manuscripts makes it a significant focus area for scholars. Upon visiting prestigious universities like Oxford, you would find a vastly greater number of Latin manuscripts compared to Old English or Middle English material. This abundance makes Latin a more attractive field of study, especially for researchers interested in medieval history, law, and various historical documents.

Furthermore, the survival of Latin texts far outnumbers those of Old English and Middle English. For instance, in England alone, the surviving number of medieval documents in Latin is about ninety-five times greater than those in Middle English, and seven hundred times greater than those in Old English. Latin's universal presence in medieval Europe, encompassing areas like Spain, France, Italy, and Germany, underscores its academic significance.

Resource Availability and Qualified Teachers

The scarcity of suitable teachers and available study materials also contributes to the lower study of Old English and Middle English. These languages require specialized knowledge, and the limited number of qualified instructors can make it challenging to establish comprehensive educational programs.

However, it's important to note that scholars of medieval studies often prioritize Latin due to its wide-ranging utility. Many medieval texts, such as those by John Gower and Chaucer, were originally written in Latin or Romance languages before transitioning to vernacular English. This cultural shift is significant and worthy of academic exploration. However, the overwhelming amount of Latin material means that it remains a more extensive and accessible field for academic inquiry.

Professor Martha Bayless illustrated this point through a vivid metaphor: the comparison of Old English literature to precious text fragments in a handful of manuscripts versus the vast repository of Latin manuscripts. Old English literature, primarily surviving in four major manuscripts, encompasses about 10,000 lines of text, much of it attributed to Beowulf. In contrast, known Latin manuscripts exceed 300,000, offering a wealth of material for academic study.

Since Latin is primarily still a language of academic necessity, medievalists and historians find it more beneficial to study. Future generations of researchers will continue to uncover and translate this extensive body of Latin literature, ensuring that these valuable texts remain a cornerstone of academic inquiry.

Despite this, the study of Old English and Middle English remains a rich and important field, particularly for those interested in the linguistic and literary history of England. These languages offer unique insights into the cultural and historical development of the English language and literature.