The History of English Podcast: Episode 174 – "Speak and Spell"

Release Date: February 8, 2024

Host: Kevin Stroud
Podcast Description: The Spoken History of a Global Language

Introduction

Kevin Stroud welcomes listeners to Episode 174 of The History of English Podcast, titled "Speak and Spell." This episode delves into the intersection of playwriting, particularly Shakespeare’s works, and the evolution of English pronunciation and spelling in the late 1500s. Stroud explores how rhyming poetry and early spelling books provide insights into the pronunciation of words during Shakespeare's time, and how these elements contributed to the standardization of English spelling.

Shakespeare’s Contributions to Language

Plays as Linguistic Clues

Stroud begins by examining how plays from the late 16th century serve as valuable resources for modern scholars to reconstruct historical pronunciations. He states:

"[00:09] Kevin Stroud: ... Modern scholars have been able to recreate much of that pronunciation from the way words were used in rhyming poetry..."

During this period, spellings were more phonetic, closely mirroring actual pronunciations, which is invaluable for linguistic reconstruction.

King John and Richard II

King John: Shakespeare’s King John is highlighted as a less acclaimed but linguistically significant play. Stroud notes that the play is predominantly written in iambic pentameter, creating a rhythmic, poetic flow:

"[00:40] Kevin Stroud: ... The entire play is essentially one long poem."

Despite its limited impact on the language, King John introduces expressions like "to gild the lily" and "to fight fire with fire," showcasing early instances of these maxims.

Richard II: Moving to Richard II, Stroud explains how the play fits into Shakespeare’s broader historical narrative, acting as a prequel to the Wars of the Roses series. He attributes the dating of the play to an invitation received by Robert Cecil in 1595:

"[15:30] Kevin Stroud: ... Most scholars think that was a reference to this particular play, Richard II."

The play also contributes to the language with terms like "impartial" and "spotless reputation," demonstrating Shakespeare's inventive use of language.

Spelling Standardization in the Late 1500s

Early Spelling Books and Influences

Stroud discusses the efforts to standardize English spelling during this era, which were pivotal in transitioning from a fluid to a more fixed spelling system. He references the contributions of Richard Mulcaster and Edmund Coote:

"[55:45] Kevin Stroud: ... Richard Mulcaster tried to reconcile these competing ideas ... giving us our modern approach to spelling."

Edmund Coote’s Spelling Guide

Edmund Coote’s English Schoolmaster (1596) is presented as a cornerstone in spelling standardization. Intended for the general public, Coote’s guide emphasized using spellings commonly accepted by printers, thereby reinforcing standardized forms:

"[70:20] Kevin Stroud: ... Coote taught them. The dialogue then presents many examples of silent letters..."

The guide’s popularity, with over 40 editions by the 1700s, solidified its influence on English spelling.

Language Innovations and First Uses

Notable Phrases and Words

Stroud highlights several phrases and words first recorded in Shakespeare’s plays and contemporary documents:

• "To gild the lily" – from King John
  "[05:50] Kevin Stroud: ... to gild the lily, it means to add something that is excessive or unnecessary."

• "To fight fire with fire" – also from King John
  "[13:45] Kevin Stroud: ... the earliest known version of the popular maxim, to fight fire with fire."

• "Impartial" – from Richard II
  "[22:10] Kevin Stroud: ... the first recorded use of the word impartial."

• "Spotless reputation" – also from Richard II
  "[24:35] Kevin Stroud: ... the first known use of the term spotless reputation."

Thomas Nash's Pamphlet

Thomas Nash’s 1596 pamphlet "have with you to Saffron Walden" is examined for its linguistic contributions, including the first recorded uses of:

• "Left in the lurch"
  "[40:15] Kevin Stroud: ... the first recorded use of the phrase left in the lurch."

• "Balderdash"
  "[42:30] Kevin Stroud: ... the first recorded use of the word balderdash in English."

• "Worst comes to worst"
  "[45:50] Kevin Stroud: ... the earliest recorded use of the phrase worst comes to worst."

• "Fancy free" – from A Midsummer Night’s Dream
  "[60:40] Kevin Stroud: ... the first recorded use of the term fancy free in the English language."

These innovations illustrate the dynamic evolution of English during this period.

Historical Context of 1596 England

Stroud provides a vivid backdrop of England in 1596, highlighting significant events that influenced the language:

• Naval Expedition to Cadiz:
  An English assault on the Spanish port of Cadiz led by the Earl of Essex introduced the word "derrick", derived from Thomas Derrick, an executioner whose name became synonymous with gallows and later cranes.

• Economic Hardships:
  Excessive rain and flooding caused crop failures, leading to starvation, wage plummets, and increased vagrancy, which likely contributed to a plague outbreak.

• Personal Tragedies:
  William Shakespeare’s only son, Hamnet, died, and Henry Carey, patron of Shakespeare’s acting company, passed away, possibly due to the plague.

• Notable Deaths:
  Francis Drake, a naval hero, died of dysentery shortly before the Cadiz expedition.

These events not only shaped society but also found their way into contemporary literature and language.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream: Language and Plot Analysis

Setting and Characters: Set in ancient Greece, the play intertwines the lives of Athenians and fairies. Stroud recounts the initial conflict between Theseus and Hippolyta and shifts focus to the forest inhabited by Oberon, Titania, and Puck.

Pronunciation Insights: Stroud highlights how Shakespeare’s rhyming reflects the pronunciation of the time. For example:

"[50:20] Kevin Stroud: ... Shakespeare rhymed that same word, fear, with the verb to tear."

This indicates that words like "fear" and "tear" rhymed in Elizabethan England, differing from modern pronunciations.

Plot Developments:

• Titania’s Child:
  Titania steals a human baby, prompting Oberon to use a love potion to distract her and retrieve the child.

• Love Potion Mishaps:
  Puck mistakenly enchants Lysander instead of Demetrius, causing him to fall in love with Helena and disrupt the original couples.

Language and Wordplay: Stroud points out Shakespeare’s clever use of language and first recorded phrases within the play:

• "Fancy free"
  "[60:40] Kevin Stroud: ... the first recorded use of the term fancy free."

• "Lord, what fools these mortals be."
  A reflection on human folly, highlighting the play’s exploration of love and confusion.

Influence on Modern Language: The play’s intricate rhymes and word usages offer a window into the phonetic landscape of the late 1500s, illustrating how certain pronunciations have evolved or merged over time.

Conclusion

In Episode 174, Kevin Stroud masterfully navigates the complex interplay between literature, linguistics, and historical events to shed light on the evolution of the English language. By examining Shakespeare’s plays, early spelling guides, and contemporary pamphlets, Stroud demonstrates how these elements collectively influenced pronunciation and spelling standardization. The episode underscores the importance of literary works as linguistic artifacts and highlights the dynamic nature of English during a pivotal era.

"[159:00] Kevin Stroud: So until then, thanks for listening to the History of English podcast."

Stay tuned for the next episode, where Stroud promises a deep dive into Romeo and Juliet and further exploration of the late 1590s’ impact on the English language.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• On Reconstructing Pronunciation:
  "[00:09] Kevin Stroud: ... Modern scholars have been able to recreate much of that pronunciation from the way words were used in rhyming poetry..."

• "To gild the lily":
  "[12:30] Earl of Salisbury: ... to gild refined gold, to paint the lily..."

• Impartial:
  "[22:10] Kevin Stroud: ... the first recorded use of the word impartial."

• Thomas Nash on Idioms:
  "[40:15] Kevin Stroud: ... the first recorded use of the phrase left in the lurch."

• Puck’s Reflection on Mortals:
  "[75:50] Puck: lord, what fools these mortals be."

Key Takeaways:

1. Literature as Linguistic Evidence:
   Shakespeare’s plays are invaluable for understanding Elizabethan pronunciation and the evolution of English vocabulary.

2. Standardization of Spelling:
   Early spelling guides like Edmund Coote’s English Schoolmaster played a crucial role in standardizing English spelling, setting the stage for modern dictionaries.

3. Dynamic Language Evolution:
   The late 1500s were a period of significant linguistic innovation, with new phrases and words emerging that have persisted or evolved in modern English.

4. Historical Influences:
   Societal events, such as naval expeditions and economic hardships, directly influenced language usage and introduced new terminology.

5. Shakespeare’s Linguistic Legacy:
   Through his inventive language and narrative techniques, Shakespeare not only entertained but also shaped the English language in profound ways.

Further Exploration:

In the upcoming episodes, Kevin Stroud will continue to unravel the intricate tapestry of English history, focusing on Romeo and Juliet and additional linguistic developments stemming from the tumultuous late 16th century.

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