History of the English Languag

The English language is one of the major languages of the world. Over 320 million people all over the world speak English. Most schools teach in English or teach English as foreign language. It is used in international business and scientific research. English was not always so popular. During the early 19th century hardly 15 million people spoke the language. How did English become so popular, and where did it get its start?

There were three periods in the English Language. The first period is known as Old English. Old English began in 449 A.D. and ended 1100. Old English is a result of migration and invasion. It began with Germanic tribes, the Angles, the Saxons, and the Jutes invading England. The language of the three tribes blended forming Old English. The next invasion to affect Old English was the Norman Conquest. The Normans spoke French. As a result French became the dominant language. However, the common people continued to speak English. The introduction o

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The biggest difference between Old English and Modern English is the grammar and the pronunciation. The French language had a big influence of Middle English. Old English has more of German or Gothic resemblance. Modern English came into use in 1500 and is still used today. There were four main dialects of Old English, North Umbrian, Mercian, Kentish, and West Saxon.

The English language has undergone many changes. It became easier to express thoughts and feeling when using the English language. North Umbrian was the most popular and was the language the epic poem, Beowulf, was written in. ”

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There is no separation between weak and strong words in Modern English. f Christianity resulted in parts of Latin being added to the language, in 597 A. Most of the Old English samples that exist today are written in West Saxon.

The English language regained popularity in its second period called Middle English. It has gone from being a language spoken only by the common people to one of the most dominant languages in today’s world.

With the invention of the printing press and an increase in education Modern English replaced Latin and the “ language of scholarship”.

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