What were the King James contribution to English language?

Answer 1

He commissioned an authorized translation of the Bible into English which was well executed and designed to be read aloud in churches. As such, its language was learned by the overwhelming majority of Britons who went to church. This occurred at the time when modern English was settling down following its period of construction out of the amalgamation Anglo-Saxon and Norman French. The King James Bible formed a model for the new language which was heard and understood throughout the realm. Many of its phrases became common sayings and expressions. As literacy increased, it became one book which most people had access to and would read. Many people learnt to read by using this Bible as a reader. King James also firmly upheld the protestant tradition in religion. One of the tenets of Protestantism was that the Bible should be available to all and should be read by all. So, not only did the Authorized Version come to define the language, the tradition which gave birth to it also nurtured the reading and use of that language.

The actual work of translation was done by committees of academics, linguists and clergy: King James' personal contribution was the political one of launching and financing the project and ensuring that it was properly organized and executed. His input may not have been linguistic, but without his commitment and initiative the language I am using to write this would certainly be different from what it is.

An interesting comparison, as well as some interesting contrasts, can be made with the Martin Luther translation of the Bible into the German language.