English phrases, French verbs: The interaction between loan word accommodation and grammatical change in Middle English KU Leuven
French heavily influenced the English lexicon, mainly during the Middle English period (1100-1500). However, it does not seem to have affected the grammar of English. This is because in Middle English society French functioned as a high-prestige but essentially second language. In such situations, transfer tends to mainly involve lexical borrowing. However, the effects of contact may go beyond direct transfer. Loan words need to be ...