Who is the Father of the English Language?

Geoffrey Chaucer (c. 1343–1400) is called the Father of the English Language and the Father of English Literature.

His masterwork, 'The Canterbury Tales' (c. 1387–1400), is a collection of stories told by pilgrims traveling to the shrine of Thomas Becket. It was written in Middle English — the bridge between Old English (Anglo-Saxon) and Modern English.

Before Chaucer, educated people in England wrote primarily in Latin or French (the languages of the Church and Norman court). Chaucer chose to write in the common vernacular English spoken by ordinary people.

This decision was revolutionary:

• It gave legitimacy to English as a literary language
• His vocabulary, rhythm, and storytelling directly influenced Shakespeare (200 years later)
• Many English words and phrases appear in print for the first time in Chaucer's work

Some sources distinguish: Chaucer = Father of English Literature. But since he is also credited with standardizing and elevating the English language itself, both titles are commonly attributed to him.