The Printing Press: Catalyst for Standardization and Proliferation of

Early Modern English

The invention of the printing press in the 15th century marked a watershed moment in the
formation of the English language. This breakthrough invention was critical in standardizing
English and hastening its spread during the Early Modern English period. Johannes Gutenberg, a
German goldsmith, is credited with inventing typesetting and letterpress printing around 1450, and
the numerous books that appeared on the market satisfied people's thirst for knowledge and spread
information, significantly contributing to the Renaissance, Reformation, and the rise of early
modern society. These publications made significant contributions to the Renaissance, the
Reformation, and the rise of early modern society in Europe. Gutenberg's "42-line Bible," "36-line
Bible," and "Catolicon," which he produced after mastering the art of typography with the Psalms
and Exegesis, are extremely valuable items in the history of printing.

Before the printing press was invented, any writings and drawings had to be completed
painstakingly by hand. However, such a chance was not accessible for just anyone but for who
was allowed to do so. Such work was usually restrained for calligraphers who lived and worked in
abbeys. The priories had an exclusive chamber called a "scriptorium." There, the calligraphers
would work in tranquility, following successive steps; first measuring and outlining the page
layouts and then carefully copying the text from another book. Then the illuminators and the
decorators took over to add designs and embellishments to the pages. In the Early Ages and
Middle Ages, books were usually only possessed by clergymen, educational institutions or
extremely rich people. Most books were religious in nature. In some cases, a family might be lucky
enough to possess a book, in which case, often it would be a decorated copy of the
Bible. (Walsham, 2004).

Printing Press and the Standardization of English

Before the advent of the printing press, the English language had various dialects, with significant
differences in vocabulary, spelling, and grammar. The printing press brought about a degree of
standardization, mainly due to economic and practical reasons. Printers, based predominantly in
London, naturally used their local dialect (the basis of Modern English) in their publications. This
dialect gradually gained ascendancy, laying the foundation for Standard English.

Spelling, which had been largely phonetic and inconsistent, began to regularize, although far from
perfect, due to the printers’ need for standard typesetting practices. Furthermore, the ability to
distribute identical copies of a text encouraged the development of consistent grammar rules and
syntax.

William Caxton saw the printing industry in its emergence and was strongly impressed by German
printing technology. He immediately started his own printing business in Bruges and printed his
first book in English in 1473, which was the Recuyell of the Histories of Troye, translated by
Caxton himself.

His translation became so popular at the Burgundian court that everyone wanted a copy, and
Caxton began to think about setting up a printing company in earnest. Bringing this knowledge
back to England, he established a printing company in Westminster in 1476. The first book he
printed was Chaucer's "Canterbury Tales".

Caxton's introduction of publishing in England about 1476 contributed to increased literacy and
knowledge among the British populace, as more people had access to reading materials (Blake,
1991).
As more English materials were written, including novels, dictionaries, and the Bible, the
language gained popularity and became the official language of England. English's growth as a
national language was influenced by political, social, and economic reasons, in addition to printing.
Linguists have noted that Caxton's printing helped establish English as the national language of
England (Crystal, 1985).
The invention of printing led to the creation of dictionaries, which significantly influenced the
English language.
 The invention of the Dictionary had two major influences:

1. The Dictionary uses standardized spellings. Before dictionaries, individuals kept word
lists. Spellings varied across the country, influenced by local dialects and spellings. Most
people knew how to converse verbally, but rarely needed to write. Many people set up
their own spelling rules when writing. (Crystal 1992).

2. Dictionaries promote linguistic awareness and vocabulary growth. Using dictionaries helps
people express themselves more effectively by providing a greater selection of words to choose
from. If someone uses an unfamiliar word, the other person can easily look it up in a dictionary.
According to Harris and Taylor, many Renaissance writers believed that language might be
improved by human design. The Renaissance scholars standardized the English language by
creating dictionaries and grammar manuals. In 1653, John Wallis, a late Renaissance scholar,
published Grammatical Linguae Anglicanae, widely regarded as the first comprehensive English
grammar. In 1755, Dr. Samuel Johnson published his highly renowned Dictionary. Another
notable dictionary is John Walker's A Critical Pronouncing Dictionary from 1791. The early
English dictionaries, especially Dr. Johnson's can be seen as a model to the modern English
dictionaries. The idea of modernity in thinking, which is easily reflected in the language used by
a given society, had its roots as early as the Renaissance era (Crystal, 1985).

Since the publication of The Canterbury Tales by Chaucer, the English language had changed
dramatically in form and grammar. By the late 1850s, English scholars saw the urgent need to have
an authoritative dictionary as English had already established itself as the national language
of England.

Role in the Development of Early Modern English

The printing press coincided with the Early Modern English period, a time of significant linguistic
change. The Great Vowel Shift, the influx of Latin and Greek words during the Renaissance, and
the transition towards more fixed word order all occurred during this period. The printing press
helped record, standardize, and propagate these changes, playing a pivotal role in the evolution
from Middle to Modern English.
Cultural and Social Impacts

Beyond its linguistic implications, the printing press also influenced societal and cultural
transformations. By democratizing access to information and facilitating the spread of new ideas,
it played a crucial role in events like the Protestant Reformation and the Renaissance, further
driving the adoption and standardization of English.