Changes Over Time
(from Language File, pages 79 – 80)
If you read a passage of English, written many years ago, you will notice at once different words, different spellings and if you go back a thousand years or so, different letters.
Read the four extracts from the Bible (1 Corinthians 13). In your group complete the chart over the page by recording some of the changes that have taken place. Notice also the many similarities between the passages.
Whanne I was a litil child, I spak as a litil child, I understood as a litil child, I thoughte as a litil child; but whanne I was maad a man, I avoided tho thingis that weren of a litil child. And we seen now bi a myrour in derknesse, but thanne face to face; now I knowe of parti, but than I schal knowe, as I am knowen
1395
When I was a chylde, I spake as a chylde, I understode as a chylde, I ymagened as a chylde. But assone as I was a man, I put away chyldeshnes. Now we se in a glasse, even in a darke speakynge: but then shall we se face to face. Now I knowe unparfectly: but then shall I knowe even as I am knowen.
1535
When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as I am known.
1611
When I was a child, my speech, my outlook, and my thoughts were all childish. When I grew up, I had finished with childish things. Now we see only puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we shall see face to face. My knowledge now is partial; then it will be whole, like God’s knowledge of me.
1961
Changes over Time
1395 / 1535 / 1611 / 1961spak
/ spake / -understood / -
- / things
see
of parti / -
knowen / -