Middle English was spoken from the 11th to the 15th century and was a period of significant change in the English language. During this time, English evolved from Old English, a language that was heavily influenced by Germanic and Scandinavian languages, to Early Modern English, which more closely resembles the English language we speak today.
There were many dialects of Middle English spoken throughout England, each with its own unique features and characteristics. Some of the most well-known dialects include:
West Midlands - This dialect was spoken in the central part of England and is known for its use of the pronoun "thee" instead of "you" and its use of the verb "do" to form questions.
East Midlands - This dialect was spoken in the eastern part of England and is known for its use of the word "a" instead of "an" before a word starting with a vowel and its use of the word "ower" instead of "our".
Southern - This dialect was spoken in the southern part of England and is known for its use of the word "yow" instead of "you" and its use of the word "hem" instead of "them".
Northern - This dialect was spoken in the northern part of England and is known for its use of the word "thou" instead of "you" and its use of the word "ower" instead of "your".
Each of these dialects had its own unique features and evolved differently over time. Studying these dialects can provide insights into the evolution of the English language and the way people spoke during the Middle English period.
