Which of the following medieval writers made extensive use of everyday colloquial speech, which contains more Old English-derived words?

Correct option is D

Explanation:
Geoffrey Chaucer (c. 1343–1400) was a medieval English poet and is widely regarded as the father of English literature. He is best known for The Canterbury Tales, which is written in Middle English and features a rich use of colloquial speech, regional dialects, and Old English-derived words. Chaucer's writing captures the natural rhythms of everyday speech, making it more accessible to his contemporary audience.


Information Booster:

Chaucer’s works helped standardize English by blending Old English words with Norman French influences.

He depicted characters from different social classes, incorporating their regional dialects and common speech patterns.

Unlike the aristocratic French or scholarly Latin, Chaucer wrote in the language spoken by common people, with many words derived from Old English.

He was one of the first to use iambic pentameter, later perfected by Shakespeare.

The Canterbury Tales is filled with humor, irony, and satire, making it engaging and reflective of medieval society.

Chaucer’s works marked the rise of English as a literary language, moving away from Latin and French dominance.

His works include:
The Canterbury Tales – A collection of stories told by pilgrims, written in vernacular Middle English rather than Latin or French.
Troilus and Criseyde – A tragic love story using Middle English poetic style.
The Book of the Duchess – An early dream vision poem.
Example from The Canterbury Tales (General Prologue):
"Whan that Aprill with his shoures soote
The droghte of March hath perced to the roote"

This passage demonstrates the transition from Old English to Middle English, preserving native vocabulary while incorporating Norman influences.

Additional Knowledge:
Virginia Woolf – A modernist writer (1882–1941), known for Mrs. Dalloway and To the Lighthouse, using stream-of-consciousness technique.
George Orwell – A 20th-century writer (1903–1950), famous for 1984 and Animal Farm, known for his clear and concise modern English.
Jane Austen – An 18th-19th century novelist (1775–1817), known for Pride and Prejudice, writing in refined Early Modern English.