HISTORY OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE

THE BRITISH INCLUDED THE INGLESH LANGUAJE IN AMERICA

407

Three small British ships crossed the Atlantic Ocean in 1607. They landed in an area that would later become the southern American state of Virginia.The name of the first small colony was Jamestown.Other Native American words included "moccasin", the kind of shoe made of animal skin that Indians wore on their feet.These colonies are now independent, but English still is one of the languages spoken. And the English language grew as words from the native languages were added.

THE ANGLO-SAXON INVASION

523

There were a lot of invasions in Britain. The Angles were a german who crossed the English Channel. Later two more groups crossed to Britain. They were the Saxons and the Jutes. These groups found a people called the Celts, who had livedin Britain for many thousands of years. Through the years, the Saxons, Angles and Jutes mixed their different languages. The result is what is called Anglo-Saxon or Old English. Old English is extremely difficult to understand.he most famous is called “Beowulf”.

THE INFLUENCE OF THE PRINTING AND WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE

557

He had been in holond and other areas of Europe where he had learned printing.He returned to Britain with first printing press. It helped spread education and the English lenguaje. English speakers today would be able to communicate with English speakers in the last part of the sixteenth century. It was during this time period that the great writer in English produced his work. His name was William Shakespare.

THE VIKINGS IN BRITAIN

Jan 1, 923

The invasion of Britain came from the far North.The Vikings came from Denmark, Norway and other northern countries. In some areas, the Vikings became so powerful. Many English words used today come from these Ancient Vikings.Words like “sky,” “leg,” “skull,” “egg,” “crawl,” “lift” and “take” are from the old languages of the far northern countries.

THE NORMAN CONQUEST

Jan 1, 1066

In 1066. History experts call this invasion the Norman Conquest.The Normans were a French-speaking. It was the most important language in the world at that time. Their language had become a mix of French and Old English.Perhaps the most famous was written by Geoffrey Chaucer, a poet who lived in London and died there in 1400. Chaucer’s most famous work is “The Canterbury Tales,” written more than 600 years ago.The Canterbury Tales” is a collection of poems about different people.

ENGLISH WORDS DERIVED FROM LATIN

Jan 1, 1426

In the year 597, the Roman Catholic Church began its attempt to make Christianity the religion of Britain.Latin made it possible for a church member from Rome to speak to a church member from Britain.Educated people from different countries could communicate using Latin. Latin had a great effect on the English language.The Latin word "discus" became several words in English including "disk," "dish," and "desk."The Latin word "quietus" became the English word "quiet."