The Medieval English Glossary as Vehicle of Cultural Adaptation: The Case of Ælfric’s Vocabulary

Abstract

This study examines Ælfric’s Vocabulary, an 11th-century Latin–Old English glossary, to explore how semantic borrowing and lexical change contributed to cultural adaptation in medieval England. It argues that the glossary expanded English semantic fields and promoted the adoption of Latin concepts, serving as an important educational tool for Anglo-Saxon learners.

Methods

The study employs a historical linguistic analysis of selected entries from Ælfric’s Vocabulary, focusing on semantic loans, lexical borrowings, calques, and lexical loss. Examples from the glossary are analyzed alongside evidence from historical dictionaries and previous linguistic research to examine patterns of language and cultural adaptation.

Results

The analysis demonstrates that the glossary introduced numerous Latin concepts through semantic loans and calques, temporarily expanding the meanings of native English words before many were later replaced by Latin loanwords. These processes enriched the English lexicon and reflected the influence of Latin culture on medieval English language development.

Conclusions

The findings suggest that Ælfric’s Vocabulary functioned as both a language-learning resource and a vehicle for cultural adaptation, facilitating the transmission of Latin knowledge into Anglo-Saxon England. Through lexical and semantic borrowing, the glossary played a significant role in shaping the historical development of the English language.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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