A Diachronic Syntactic Study of Wycliffe’s English: Focusing on Negation

초록

This study examines the diachronic syntactic development of English through an analysis of John Wycliffe’s Middle English Bible translation, focusing particularly on negation patterns. The research investigates the transitional nature of Wycliffe’s English between Old English and Early Modern English, examining key syntactic features and negation strategies. The study’s primary contribution lies in its detailed analysis of negation in Wycliffe’s Middle English, revealing evidence of Jespersen’s Cycle. Various negation strategies are identified, including the use of nay and not, contracted forms, and negative constructions with no and negative adverbs. A comparative analysis between Wycliffe’s translation and the King James Version demonstrates the development of periphrastic do-support. While Wycliffe’s text shows limited use of do-support, primarily in negative imperatives, the King James Version exhibits more extensive usage across various constructions. This research provides insights into the gradual nature of syntactic change in English, particularly in negation patterns, thus furthering our understanding of Middle English as a crucial transitional period in the development of English syntax.

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