Middle English Translator

About Middle English

Middle English was the form of the English language spoken in England from roughly the 12th to the late 15th century, following the Norman Conquest of 1066. It represents a transitional period between Old English and Early Modern English, heavily influenced by Norman French and Latin. Middle English was written using the Latin alphabet.

During this period, English underwent dramatic simplification, losing most of its grammatical case system and gender distinctions. The most celebrated Middle English author is Geoffrey Chaucer, whose Canterbury Tales, written in the late 14th century, remains widely read today. Middle English varied significantly by region, with major dialect areas including Northern, Midlands, Southern, and Kentish. The Great Vowel Shift beginning around 1400 marked the transition to Early Modern English. Looking for mystical names from this era? Try the Wizard Name Generator for names with medieval English roots.