The King James Bible And How We Speak

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Ben Evans Mr. Schuh British Literature 31 March 2014 Rough Draft: The King James Bible and How we Speak Ever since it’s creation in 1611 scholars have aggressively debated the 400-year-old question in venues ranging from classrooms to conference rooms. Dictionary-maker Noah Webster was quoted saying, “The language of the Bible has no inconsiderable influence in forming and preserving our national language.” in more recent times, theologian Alister McGrath declared that it “is a model English text, which can be studied as a landmark in the history of the English language, and is to be seen as a major influence on English literature.” For 400 years the question remained, did the King James Bible actually influence the English language or does it merely serve as a cultural icon. It is now 2014 and it is also an undeniable truth that the King James Bible has influence language. Beliefs and religion aside most people still use direct quotes from the King James Bible on a daily basis whether the know it or not. The King James Bible has so saturated our modern language that we don’t even realize when we quote it, because some of it’s phrases have become so common. a 2009 survey by Durham University found that only 38% of us have an understanding of the parable of prodigal son, but a recent book by the linguist David Crystal, Begat: The King James Bible and the English language, counts 257 different phrases from the King James Bible in contemporary English idiom. This means that it has had an obvious affect on our language. Why has its influence been so massive? Alister McGrath, a professor of theology, ministry and education at King's College, London, is the author of In the Beginning: the Story of the King James Bible and how it change... ... middle of paper ... ... "All kinds of pop singers — from the most profound folk singers like Joan Baez and so on to the most radical punk rockers ... produce biblical quotations just like the best of them." says Crystal. There aren't many good reasons why expressions from the King James Bible would continue to survive in modern English, but the fact is there are reasons. Beginning with its publication in 1611, it was daily reading for millions of people throughout the English speaking world at one point. It was read aloud extensively in churches. Over time, readers and listeners its language as their own and repeated it in communication and writings. Influential people, around the world and particularly in London used this modified language and increased the effect for centuries to come. And this has had a noticeable and long lasting effect beyond only the religious communities of today.

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