We study English in school and we are able to use English to communicate with others. Do you know where did the English language come from? Yes, it is from Britain but do you know that many of the English words we use today are not really English words? I mean they are not originally from Britain. These are known as “borrowed words”. Some people might call them “stolen words” because the words are never return.

Some of these words are imported from Latin. Others are from German, France and Scandinavia (such as Norway). French was once the official language in Britain and the Royal Families and first class people speak French. Those who speak English are considered as second class people. No wonder the French are so proud of their language and reluctant to speak English even if they know the language well. If you are want to go to Paris, please learn a few words of French, such as merci, bonjour and monsieur as you might get ignored by the French if you do not speak a single word of French.

Here are the Seven Ages of English. You could see that Britain has been invaded by many people. First, the Romans where Latin was bought in and later comes the Ango-Saxon (now known as German), the Vikings from Scandinavia and the Norman (the French).

(1) Pre-English Period ( -c. AD 450)
Local languages in Britain are Celtic. After the Roman invasion c. 55 BC Latin becomes the dominant language of culture and government. Many communities in Britain are bilingual Celtic-Latin.

(2) Early Old English (450 – c. 850)
Anglo-Saxon invasion c AD 499 when Romans leave. Settlers bring a variety of Germanic dialects from mainland Europe. First English literature appears c. AD 700. English borrows many words from Latin via the church.

(3) Later Old English (c. 850-1100)
Extension invasion and settlement from Scandinavia. In the north of England dialects of English become strongly influenced by Scandinavian languages. In the south King Alfred arranges for many Latin texts to be translated.

(4) Middle English (c. 1100-1450)
Norman conquest and Norman rule. English vocabulary and spelling now affected by French, which becomes the official language in England, Educated English people trilingual (French, Latin, English).

(5) Early Modern English (c. 1450-1750)
Includes the Renaissance, the Elizabethan era and Shakespeare. The role of the church, of Latin and of French declines and English becomes a language of science and government. Britain grows commercially and acquires overseas colonies. English taken to the Americas, Australia and India. Slave trade carries black speakers of African languages to Caribbean and America, giving rise to English creoles. English acquires a typographic identity with the rise of printing. Many attempts to “standardize and fix” the language with dictionaries and grammars.

(6) Modern English (c. 1750-1950)
Britain experiences industrial revolution and consolidates imperial power, introducing English medium education in many parts of the world. English becomes the international; language of advertising and consumerism.

(7) Late Modern English (c. 1950 – _
Britain retreats from empire. New standardized varieties of English emerge in newly independent countries. English becomes the international language of communications t4echnology. American English becomes the dominant world variety.

Source: “English history, diversity and change” by David Graddol, Dick Leith and Joan Swann.