The Integration of Norse‐Derived Terms in English: Effects of Formal Similarity ¹

Abstract Language change arising from language contact is a complex phenomenon. Peter Matthews encouraged researchers to consider it as firmly grounded in the behaviour of individual speakers. We apply this perspective to investigate the integration of Norse‐derived terms into medieval English, testing for the effect of their phonetic similarity to their English (pseudo)cognates. Controlling for etymology, meaning and textual attestation and using a novel data transcription method and coding scheme, we have compiled a database of hundreds of Norse‐derived and native forms. The proportion of Norse‐derived terms compared to their English (pseudo)cognates is used as a measure of integration; we apply three measures of formal similarity (regarding sound class, articulatory features and historical change). We have found a significant negative relationship: Norse‐derived terms are more frequent if they are more similar to their English equivalents. This effect is strongest at the extremes of similarity. There are also significant effects related to the impact of alliteration on the choice of Norse‐derived terms and whether forms might have been perceived as more characteristically Norse. Moreover, our results suggest that the rate of use of Norse‐derived terms can be taken as an important pointer of the chronological and dialectal origin of a text/manuscript.