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May 1, 730
Old English
In the 5th century the British Isles were invaded by Angles, Saxons and Jutes. What we knows as English really started here, almost obliterating the languages that were spoken before many invasions.
An old english text from the 8th century would contain strang letters and different word forms. About one third of the words we use every day, are of Old English origin.
During the Anglo-Saxon period, there were two important influences on the language.
- Latin
- Norse from Danish Vikings -
May 1, 1066
Middle English
The shift from Old English to Middle English was a slow and gradual process. The changes from Old English to Middle English was in three areas:
- Vocabulary
- Grammar
- Spelling
The Normans invaded Britain in 1066. The Normans dominated the goverment, law, administration, the church and medicine for 150 years. Latin continued its influence in areas of religion and learning. -
May 1, 1100
Middle English language
The changes from Old English to Middle English
Vocabulary: A lot of written material appeared in this peiode. Most of the new words - loan words - that entered English were of Norman/French origin
Grammar: In the Middel Ages, and by the end of that periode the former system had been replaced by the grammar we still see in English today. Where words order establishes the relationships between the words in a sentense.
Spelling: The English Language came out of the Middle Ages much wealthier. -
May 1, 1476
Early Modern English
In the beginning of the peiode nobody knew how to write and print correctly. There were neither dictionaries or grammar books. In the Early Modern English there were workning on it. Unknowns parts of the world were explored, scientific discoveries were made at the same time as the classical Greek and Roman literatures had their renaissance. -
May 1, 1500
Changes in society
In the Early Modern English, William Caxton set up the first printing press. The printing could now mass produce texts for mass circulation. That meant that the spelling, grammar and vocabulary had to be thoughout the country.
The Bible was translated and many religious were produced.
Also discoveries of the universe, Newton's scientific methods, and Columbus's adventures were translated. -
Modern English
During the period of Modern English, the grammar of Standard English has continued to change but not as fast as previous centuries. The biggest changes in Modern English have taken place reflect the multiple social, scientific, technological and economic developments. With imperialism, urbanization and industrialization hundreds of thousands of words were added to the English vocabulary. -
American English
In 1776 America ganied its independence from Britain. To the newly independeent Americans, ridding themselves of British linguistic influence was seem as one of many vital tools in the building of a new uniform national identity. In 1806 Noah Webster published his first American dictionary. Differencens between British English and American English:
- Spelling
- Vocabulary
- Pronunciation
- Intonaion -
Global English
Britain's history have been the largest colonial empire in the world. Wherever the British colonists went, they brought along their language and introduced it as the language of government, administration, commerce and education.
It's estimated that the majority of the world's population now speaks english. The number of people who use English as a second or foreign language are now very much in the majority.
