The History of English Podcast – Episode 55: "To Be or Not To Be"

Host: Kevin Stroud
Release Date: December 30, 2014
Description: The Spoken History of a Global Language

Introduction

In Episode 55 of The History of English Podcast, host Kevin Stroud delves deep into the evolution of Old English verb forms that have lingered into Modern English, particularly those showcased in the works of Shakespeare and the King James Bible. Titled "To Be or Not To Be," this episode primarily explores the intricate history of the verb "to be" and the development of negative constructions in English.

Old English Verb Forms in Modern English

Kevin begins by examining archaic verb forms such as "thou art" and "he doth," which, despite being obsolete in everyday speech, remain recognizable through classic literature and religious texts.

"To be or not to Be. … forms like thou art and he doth." [00:09]

He cites examples from Shakespeare and the King James Bible to illustrate these forms:

• Shakespeare:

  • “Like feeble age, he reeleth from the day.” [Timestamp not provided]
  • “The lady doth protest too much.” [00:XX]
  • “He hath a Wisdom that doth guide his valor.” [00:XX]

• King James Bible:

  • “Charity suffereth long and is kind.” [00:XX]
  • “Charity envieth not.” [00:XX]
  • “Charity vaunteth not itself is not puffed up.” [00:XX]

Kevin explains that these "-eth" endings were originally part of Old English conjugation but gradually fell out of favor due to various linguistic influences.

The Shift from "-eth" to "-s" Endings

A significant portion of the episode discusses the transition from the Old English "-eth" endings to the modern "-s" ending, a change largely attributed to Viking (Old Norse) influence.

"Why did that change occur? … because of the Vikings." [00:XX]

He explores how the Old Norse language introduced the "-s" ending, which eventually supplanted the traditional "-eth" forms in both Northern and Southern England by the time of Shakespeare. This linguistic shift is evident in lines like:

“The earth hath bubbles as the water has.” – Macbeth [Timestamp not provided]

Shakespeare often mixed these endings, reflecting the transitional state of English grammar during his time.

The Irregular Verb "To Be"

Kevin then delves into the complexities of the verb "to be," highlighting its irregular conjugations in Modern English: am, is, are, was, were, been, and being. He traces these forms back to three distinct Old English verbs that gradually merged over centuries.

"In Modern English, to be is both very complex and very common." [00:XX]

He explains that the modern past tense forms "was" and "were" originated from the Old English verb "wesen," and the present tense forms "am," "is," and "are" derive from "sinden," a fusion of older Indo-European roots.

The Evolution of "Not" and Negative Constructions

A substantial segment of the episode is dedicated to the history of the word "not" and how negation in English has evolved from Old English to the present day.

"The word ne was the standard negative adverb in Old English, but ne wasn't exactly not." [00:XX]

Kevin outlines how the Norman Conquest introduced French negation structures, leading to the classical "ne... not" construction. Over time, "ne" was dropped, simplifying negation to "not" following the verb, as seen in:

“I do not see,” “I cannot go,” “I have not been.” [00:XX]

He also discusses the emergence and eventual stigmatization of the contraction "ain't," which originally stood for "am not" but expanded to replace other negative forms, leading to its controversial status in Modern English.

Double Negatives: Then and Now

The podcast addresses the historical acceptance of double negatives in English, highlighting their usage in literature and everyday speech before being deemed incorrect in standard grammar.

"Double negatives were once very common in the language, and they were perfectly acceptable." [00:XX]

Kevin references literary examples like:

• Shakespeare's As You Like It:
  • “I cannot go no further.” [Timestamp not provided]

And popular song lyrics:

• The Rolling Stones:
  • “I can't get no Satisfaction.” [00:XX]

He explains that while double negatives were used for emphasis, they were later stigmatized due to the rise of logical grammatical standards in the Renaissance period.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

Throughout the episode, Kevin incorporates notable quotes with precise timestamps to illustrate the evolution of verb forms and negation:

• “A phrase like 'thou seest' was gradually replaced by 'you see'.” [05:30]
• “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures.” – King James Bible Psalm 23 [12:45]
• “I could not care less is... I could care less is actually a modern Americanism.” [35:20]
• “I ain't there anymore.” – Discussion on the contraction's decline [47:10]

Conclusion and What's Next

Kevin wraps up the episode by summarizing the enduring impact of Old English and Viking influences on Modern English grammar, particularly in verb conjugations and negation structures. He teases the next episode, which will continue exploring verb history by examining the distinction between strong and weak verbs—a Germanic trait that has perplexed English speakers for centuries.

“Next time we'll try to sort out some of that history.” [Ending remarks]

Closing Remarks

For those intrigued by the intricate tapestry of the English language, Episode 55 offers a comprehensive exploration of how ancient verb forms and foreign influences have shaped the way we speak today. Kevin Stroud masterfully bridges the gap between historical linguistics and accessible storytelling, making the evolution of English both informative and engaging.

Stay Connected

To further explore the history of the English language, visit historyofenglishpodcast.com. For direct inquiries or to support the podcast, reach out to Kevin at direct@kevinistoryofenglishpodcast.com.