Here's why that concept is difficult to pin down:
* The Renaissance didn't end abruptly: Its effects continued to ripple through European society and culture for centuries after.
* Language is constantly evolving: Languages don't stop changing after a historical period. The changes following the Renaissance were influenced by a range of factors, including:
* The printing press: This spurred standardization and a wider spread of written language.
* Scientific Revolution: New scientific terms and concepts were introduced.
* Rise of nation-states: This led to the development of standard national languages.
* Colonialism: Languages spread through conquest and trade, leading to new dialects and creoles.
Instead of "post-Renaissance language," you might consider:
* Early Modern English: This term refers to the language spoken and written from roughly 1500 to 1800. It reflects the significant changes that occurred in English after the Renaissance, including the rise of the printing press and a more standardized form of English.
* Modern languages: Many languages spoken today are considered "modern," meaning they have evolved significantly since the Renaissance. This evolution was shaped by the historical developments mentioned above.
To understand the linguistic impact of the Renaissance, it's best to explore specific languages and their historical development within the context of the broader cultural and societal shifts that took place.