An Introduction to Middle English.pdf

To readers
This book is designed as a linguistic introduction to Middle English
for undergraduate students who have already encountered the language,
perhaps through reading Chaucer’s works or having undertaken a
general ‘survey’ course on the history of the English language. We have
attempted to make the book a bridge between elementary surveys of
the kind to be found in beginners’ readers and more sophisticated (and
theoretically oriented) work; thus in the last chapter we point forward
to issues which are part of recent scholarly debate. Our view is that it is
important for all students, as colleagues in the discipline, to be aware of
current controversies; however, we have tried to avoid such controversies in the body of the book so that not too strong a ‘party-line’ is
pushed. Even so, it would be foolish to deny that there is an overarching
approach, which may be defined as linking concerns often described as
‘linguistic’ (theory-centred) with ‘philological’ (text-centred) ones.
We envisage our book being used, at an early stage, as part of an
undergraduate Honours course on Middle English. In order to enhance
its usefulness (and indeed to keep overall costs down) we have supplied
a reader of illustrative texts, but ideally students will supplement this
with other collections. We especially recommend Burnley 1992.
The authors would like to acknowledge with gratitude the patience
and tolerance of Sarah Edwards and James Dale. We are also much
indebted to the very helpful and detailed comments on the first draft
made by Donka Minkova and Heinz Giegerich, which saved us from
many infelicities, drew attention to flaws, and were invaluable in clarifying and correcting our arguments. We were also very grateful for early
sight of parts of the companion ETOTEL volume on Old English,
by Richard Hogg. However, we take full responsibility for any errors of
omission or commission which remain.
Although we collaborated closely in the writing of the book, JJS was
primarily responsible for Chapters 1 to 7; SCH undertook the editing
and annotation of the Appendix of Texts, and supplied textual material
at various points elsewhere.