FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCE AND HUMANITIES

DEPARTMENT

REU - Bachelor of Arts (Honours) English With

Education
Year 1 Semester 1
BJES1093 History of English Language

ASSIGNMENT 3

This is a written assignment. Students will be assessed individually and are required to
write an analysis in 1500 words on topics such as “Analyse the progress of Literature
from the period of Old English to the Modern period”. They will submit their work on
Google Classroom using Google Docs. In this written assignment, students will be
assessed on the the knowledge of the history of the English Language. In this context,
application of analysis and understanding is based on lectures and tutorials that was
taught previously. Finally, students are required to submit their work via “Turnitin” and
hand in together their originality report.

TUTOR: Miss Sashikala A/P Sunmugam

DUE DATE: 13/09/2020

NAME: Satvin Raj A/L Sumendran

STUDENT I.D: 20WJR00853

TITLE: SEMANTICS AND AMBIGUITY OF OLD ENGLISH LITERATURE

INTRODUCTION:

Old English Literature witnesses rapid growth and expansions in terms of linguistics
particularly in the fields of semantics and ambiguity. New words arose during the Old English
period, due to the succession of the English language as a language of power. This research
aims to study the semantics and ambiguity during the old English period which lasted from
1100-1500. According to Breal. M (2002), semantics in its term of etymology can be defined
as, the study of word meaning in a language, besides that, the English word semantics was
derived from the ancient Greek word “Sema”, “Semantique” which means symbols and signs.
Professor Matthias Bauer (2020) stated that ambiguity can be defined as, words that may
contain more than two types of interpretations. In this context, ambiguity enables the same
word to be understood differently by both native and non-native English speakers. Apart from
that, ambiguity also contains elements of homonyms and personification in Literature as well.

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY:

This study witnesses an ideal operation of methodology when it comes to extracting the
meanings of semantics and ambiguity of Old English literature. The methods of referencing
were mainly done from Shakespeare’s (2016) “Sonnet 138”. This was done as Shakespeare’s
(2016), Sonnet 138 contains an abundance of ambiguity in Old English Literature which is a
suitable candidate for referencing when it comes to producing the output of ambiguity. Apart
from that, intellectual understanding was also extracted from Rosernberg and Kennedy C.
(1998) with Cynewulf’s poem “The Phoenix”. The researcher has seen fit to refer to
Cynewulf’s work as its words birthed new definitions of semantics which was practised during
the Old English period. Beyond that, referencing was also done from Oxford’s Dictionary of
English (2018) as it defines words accurately in terms of grammar.

STUDY RESULTS:

EVIDENCE OF OLD ENGLISH AMBIGUITY:

According to Breal (2002), the English word “ambiguity” is derived from the Latin word
“ambiguuus” meaning more than one interpretation. In a deeper perspective, “Sonnet 138”
mainly discusses the Truth and Falsehood of the persona’s lover.

The first lexical ambiguity chiefly lies on,

 I. “When my love swears that she is made of truth, I do believe her though I know she
lies”.

According to Oxford’s Dictionary of English (2018) Truth is defined as, an abstract noun that
cannot be seen, counted, or heard but which characteristics can be proved real and just.
However, a lie is an assertion of falsehood or enabling something to appear true despite not
being real. The ambiguity here is that the persona’s lover is being faithful and sincere to him,
in a manner of courteous love, thus indicating figuratively that the lover herself is made out of
an epitome of truth. On the other anecdote, it also indicates that the lover is unfaithful and being
able to “lie” in a convincing manner to the point where the persona himself does not judge her
honesty and simply believes the lover even when she speaks lies. This sentence also showcases
that the Persona trusts the lover’s deception which can be classified as he is being deceived
upon. Beyond that, the word “lie” in Old English is also defined as, to have sexual intercourse
with another individual.

The second lexical ambiguity can be found on,

II. “Although she knows my days are past the best, Simply I credit her False-speaking
tongue.”

The term “credit” can be defined as, a reputable trust being implied on an individual besides
that it could also indicate a form of currency being used in business transactions to purchase
stocks, goods, and other services. In this context, the persona can be classified as giving the
lover’s speech a certain value of trust although it is obvious that the lover is speaking a lie.

Beyond that, elements of dichotomy can be found in

III. “Although she knows my days are past the best”.

The dichotomy can be simplified as words or sentences which are comprised of two different
things. This sentence above showcases denotation of either the lover believes that the persona
to be a young man or either the persona himself is erroneously placing such a youthful opinion
during a younger period.

EVIDENCE OF OLD ENGLISH SEMANTICS:

Semantics can be simplified as, a domain of linguistics which primarily deals with the class
of word definitions. However, semantics in the Old English Literature displays a stark contrast
to modern-day English vocabulary in a means of where Old English words may be considered
redundant to speakers of the 21st century. In this study, “The Phoenix”, Rosernberg & Kennedy.
C (1998) comprises both denotative and connotative interpretations. According to Breal. M
(2002), denotative can be defined as the literal meaning of a particular noun whereas,
connotative is distinctively known as figurative abstract meanings of a particular noun. For
instance, the domain of denotative defines “house” as a location where an individual stays at
any given time, whereas in connotative terms the same “house” can be defined as, a cosy,
comfortable environment, or as a place of a government stronghold where political affairs are
discussed, such as, “Good afternoon Congressmen, President Obama is in the house”. This
term of “house” is used to denote the chief parliamentary place of discussion in the United
States of America, “White House”. The same linguistic phenomenon also occurs in the Old
English Literature poem “The Phoenix” by Cynewulf.

The first semantic evidence can be found on:

I. “Thereof wood tis g’uarded by a fowl of might, strong of feathers, he is called, the
Phoenix obser’vr of the blue land”

According to Oxford’s Dictionary of English (2018), Phoenix is a mythological bird whom

lived as the guardian of Arabian deserts having feathers of steel and was capable of breathing
fire. However, in Connotative definition, a Phoenix symbolises a courageous leader who is not
willing to back away from any fear or surrender to any enemy in war. The Denotative definition
indicates Phoenix as a creature which resembles a giant eagle capable of breathing orange fire.
Beyond that, “blue land” here also provides semantic details in terms of denotative and
connotative definitions. In denotative, “blue” is defined as, one of the five main primary colours
seen by the naked eye together with red, green, and yellow. In connotative terms, the sentence
“blue land” indicates calmness, serenity, peace and rest. Old English Literature, “blue land”
also indicates a nation blessed with an abundance of wealth and natural resources thus the
colour term “blue” is famously stressed.

The second semantic evidence can be found on:

II. “Death shall’t nev’er bringeth harm on the mighty Phoenix, tis he is gifted with
desired green ladies adorned by’eth the shine of Heaven’s eye”

This second line is of great interest to the researcher as it is comprised of several different
meanings both in denotative and connotative which dominantly revolves around the field of
semantics. In denotative terms, “green ladies” is simply defined as women dressed in green
attire but in the domains of connotative, “green ladies” is indicated as virgin women who have
not engaged in sexual intercourse before. Besides that, this sentence also means, ladies who
are enviable for their beauty. In Old English Literature, the term “green ladies” indicates ladies
who are attractive, illustrious and luscious beyond any human beauty thus enviable by other
regular damsels. Apart from that, the colour green is also associated with enviable
characteristics hence the poet states, “desired green ladies”. Beyond that, the elements of
semantics can be found in “shine of Heaven’s eye”. In denotative terms, this is defined as the
sun shining brightly in the sky during the day and nothing above that description. However, in
connotative definitions, this sentence is defined as, the eyes of God. Apart from that “Heaven”
in the denotative definition is merely the blue sky whereas in connotative lexicology it means
the realm of eternal life where those who were righteous. In a deeper perspective, “Heaven”
also means the realm of where higher beings of glorious stature resides, such as angels,
archangels, cherubims, seraphims and other celestial beings.

The third semantic evidence can be found on:

III. “The mighty’eth wondrous fowl roseth across the Heavens with yello’w dime eyes,
His mighty’eth roar with purple’th feathers…. Such a majestic sight thee has had
to behold!”

The third and final line of semantic evidence can be found in the colour symbolisms of Old
English Literature. In Old English Literature, colours play an essential semantic role when it
comes to portraying an individual’s ranking and status of power. The colour “yell’ ow”(yellow)
holds both denotative and connotative definitions in Old English. In denotative definition,
yellow is just the primary colour formed between the orange and green spectrum. However, in
connotative definitions, it means, astounding honour associated with an individual of great
valour. Apart from that, the colour “purple’th” (purple) in Old English holds semantic
definition as well. In the denotative definition, it is defined as, the hue production between red
and blue. The connotative definitions of purple are closely associated with royalty, luxury,
nobility, splendour and magnificence. These qualities are linked to the majestic power of a
King or an Emperor protecting his kingdom from enemy conquests.
CONCLUSION:

Based on the data findings stated by the researcher above, the study of semantics and ambiguity
in Old English Literature has birthed discoveries in the fields of language and linguistics
particularly in the fields of semantics. This study confirms that there are 3 pieces of evidence
of ambiguity found from William Shakespeare’s poem, “Sonnet 138” and 3 samples from
Cynewulf’s poem “The Phoenix”, thus total six linguistic shreds of evidence in this study. The
researcher also hopes that this study would provide an insight into higher-tertiary education in
the fields of language ambiguity and semantics. From this study, it is strongly encouraged that
young researchers to make discoveries in the aspects of ambiguity and semantics of Old
English, but from a different perspective. However, it must be noted that this study should
retain its originality and word texture even after being translated into multiple languages to be
used as a reference for international higher-tertiary education atmospheres.
ATTACHMENTS:

Sonnet 138

When my love swears that she is made of truth,

I do believe her though I know she lies,
That she might think me some untutored youth,
Unlearned in the World’s false subtleties,
Thus vainly thinking that she thinks me young,
Although she knows that my days are past the best,
Simply I credit her false-speaking tongue,
On both sides thus simple truth is supressed,
But wherefore says she not she is unjust?
And wherefore say not that I am old?
O love’s best habit is in seeming trust
And age in love loves not to have years told,
Therefore I lie with her, and she with me
And in our faults by lies we flattered be

- Lord William Shakespeare (1609 A.D).

The Phoenix

Thereof wood tis g’uarded by a fowl of might, strong of feathers, he is called, the Phoenix
obser’vr of the blue land,

Death shall’t nev’er bringeth harm on the mighty Phoenix, tis he is gifted with desired green
ladies adorned by’eth the shine of Heaven’s eye,

The mighty’eth wondrous fowl roseth across the Heavens with yello’w dime eyes, His
mighty’eth roar with purple’th feathers…. Such a majestic sight thee has had to behold!

- Rosernberg & Kennedy C. (1998). The

Poems of Cynewulf (p.555). Columbia
readings
REFERENCES:

Oxford University Press. (2018). The Oxford dictionary of English (pp. 401-499).

Shakespeare, W. (2016). Shakespeare's sonnets. Simon & Schuster Audio.

Rosernberg, & Kennedy, C. (1998). The poems of Cynewulf (p. 555). Columbia readings.

Breal, M. (2002). The Beginnings of Semantics: Essays, Lectures, and Reviews. Michel Breal,
George Wolf. Whitefront, 397-398. https://doi.org/10.1086/356515

Professor Matthias Bauer| Universitat Tubingen. Uni-tuebingen.de. (2020). Retrieved 10

September 2020 from https://uni-tuebingen.de/fakultaeten/philosophische-
fakultaet/fachbereiche/neuphilologie/englisches-seminar/sections/english-literatures-and-
cultures/lehrstuhl-prof-dr-matthias-bauer/prof-dr-matthias-bauer/.