Question

What are the two most important influences on the development of the English language in the final decades of the Renaissance?

A) French and Spanish
B) German and Russian
C) Greek and Latin
D) Chinese and Japanese

Answer 1

The development of the English language in the final decades of the Renaissance was significantly influenced by Greek and Latin, which were part of a broader cultural movement that included the resurgence of classical learning and the spread of standardized vernacular languages.

Step-by-step explanation:

The two most important influences on the development of the English language in the final decades of the Renaissance were Greek and Latin. This period saw a resurgence of learning based on classical sources, which greatly impacted literature, art, educational reform, and the languages of Europe. Greek and Latin were significant because the English language, which belongs to the Germanic language family, incorporated a large number of loanwords from these classical languages during this time.

The influence was multifaceted including cultural, political, and intellectual aspects. This was bolstered by the innovative flowering of Latin and vernacular literatures during the Renaissance. Additionally, with the spread of more efficient printing technology and cheaper paper, vernacular languages like English began to standardize, absorbing elements from the official languages of ruling elites which were often based in Latin.