A Comparative Analysis of Morphological Changes in Old and Modern English: Evolution, Patterns and Implications

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the morphological and phonological
changes that have occurred in the English language over time, specifically focusing on the transition from Old English to Modern
English. The research draws upon a wide range of sources, including
Old English texts, dictionaries, Modern English texts, and linguistic
studies, to conduct a comprehensive analysis. By employing Labov's
(1981) theory of language change and variation, the study
investigates the evolution of Old English morphological structures
and its impact on Modern English. A selection of 20 Old English
words and their Modern English counterparts serves as the basis for
examining the morphological patterns of change and variation in Old
English vocabulary. The study employs descriptive and comparative
approaches, analysing representative linguistic samples from both
Old English and Modern English texts. The findings reveal that the
morphological changes in Old and Modern English reflect a trend
towards simplification, regularisation, and the loss of complex
inflectional systems, while providing insights into the impact of these
changes on language comprehension, communication, and language
acquisition