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Podcast: The origins of English

Posted on 3 August 2021

New podcast focusing on the history of medieval English

Dr Ellie Rye (Department of Language and Linguistic Science) recently recorded a podcast ‘The origins of English’ for Gone Medieval, one of the History Hit family of podcasts hosted by archaeologist Cat Jarman and historian Matt Lewis.

In ‘The origins of English’, Dr Rye talks about the English language and how it changed between approximately 500 and 1500 CE. The podcast features topics including how linguists investigate language in the past, the impact of migrations and language contact in the history of English, and how this eventful history is reflected in place-names and modern varieties of English.  It also covers material that Dr Rye teaches in the Department in her modules on the history of English, Middle English and place-names.

It was a real pleasure to record this podcast exploring the links between language change and sociohistorical change in the history of English. English changed enormously during the medieval period, so it’s an incredibly interesting period to investigate. It was fantastic to have the opportunity to communicate some of these changes, and the factors behind them, to a worldwide audience! - Dr Ellie Rye, Department of Language and Linguistic Science

To listen to the podcast: The Origins of English