Who and What laid the foundations of Spoken English?

The person most commonly considered the **“Father of the English language”** is **Geoffrey Chaucer**.

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# **Why is Geoffrey Chaucer called the Father of English?**

### **1. He wrote major literature in English when most writers used Latin or French**

During the 1300s, educated writing in England was mostly in:

* **Latin** (for scholars and the Church)
* **French** (used by the royal court)

Chaucer broke this tradition and chose to write in **Middle English**, making English a respected language for literature.

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### **2. He shaped the development of Middle English**

Chaucer’s works, especially *The Canterbury Tales*, helped:

* Standardize grammar
* Spread new vocabulary
* Create a common literary style

His influence made English more recognizable and structured.

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### **3. He made English a language of culture and storytelling**

Before Chaucer, English wasn’t seen as “prestigious.”
Chaucer’s writing:

* Reached ordinary people
* Showed English could be poetic and expressive
* Elevated English to a **literary language**

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### **4. His works influenced later writers**

Chaucer inspired:

* Shakespeare
* Spenser
* Milton
* And many later English poets

His style shaped the future of English literature.

Geoffrey Chaucer is considered the Father of English because he used English for major literary works at a time when most wrote in Latin or French, helping to standardize and elevate the English language.

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