Irving, Washington: 1783-1859
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, 1820 - Language/Style
- English Language Level: Upper-Intermediate
- Archaic Vocabulary – Words like “quaint,” “melancholy,” or “behoof” are uncommon now.
Sentence Structure – Irving often uses multiple clauses in one sentence, which can be hard to follow.
Formal Style – The tone is more elaborate and descriptive than modern casual English.
Cultural References – Some historical or local references (like Dutch settlers’ customs) may require extra context.
- Archaic Vocabulary – Words like “quaint,” “melancholy,” or “behoof” are uncommon now.
- The language is early 19th-century English, with formal syntax, archaic expressions, and long descriptive passages. Even though the story itself is entertaining, the language level is higher than standard modern English. For modern readers, it’s generally upper-intermediate to advanced level.