The Renaissance continued... 1

  • Around 8000 new words came into English in the second half of the 16th century, mostly borrowings from other European languages, especially Latin, French, Italian and Greek. Texts of the period show a high proportion of Latinate words.

    Greek words often to do with science and medicine.
    Half of the words that came in survived into modern English, the rest were discarded. Some people objected to all these new words which they called 'inkhorn terms' - made up words. English speakers were beginning to see their language as a national strength. Renaissance English was very good for literature; poetry and drama thrived.
    Greatest writer in English, SHAKESPEARE, wrote during this period.