As time went on, the languages merged into one, and we were left with two words for many objects and ideas. To simplify, around 1066, Norman nobles, speakers of Latinate-derived French, invaded England where the peasants spoke a Germanic-derived English. The actual dull facts: a high percentage of words in the English language are either Latinate, of Latin-French heritage, or are Germanic, coming to us from Old English (aka Anglo-Saxon). Ok, the word controversy is, perhaps, a bit too dramatic for the subject but I had to get you to look didn't I? Germanic words is only 1 of 39 subjects that he discusses.įor the word geeks and curious writers among you Only one of the reasons why I recommend his book. Rees Cheney's 'Getting the Words Right - 39 Ways To Improve Your Writing' explains the situation much more thoroughly then I am about to do. One of the books I've read recently, Theodore A. Is this the truth or prejudice? Should a writer use Latinate words? What the heck are Latinate words? Latinate words are seen as fancy, frilly, and full of themselves. You may have seen the argument pitched as an admonition to use shorter words, or fewer syllables. Yes! There is word prejudice in the English-speaking, or more specifically, the English-writing world. Are you aware of the word controversy that swirls around us even as you read this?

Old german words in english