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Roman rule ends, and Germanic tribes begin influencing the language. -
Brings Christianity; Latin words enter old English -
Oldest surviving epic poem in English, showcases Old English language -
Alfred the Great translates works into Old English, preserving the language -
William the Conquerors victory brings French influence into English -
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English grammar and spelling start to simplify -
With so many deaths, English-speaking peasants gained influence; English began replacing French in daily life. -
Famous Middle English work, showing how the language was spoken at the time. -
By Johannes Gutenberg, books become widely available, spreading literacy -
Helps standardize spelling and grammar in English -
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Robert Cawdrey's table Alphabetical -
Jamestown colony founded; English begins spreading worldwide -
Preserved many of Shakespeare's plays, showing the richness of Early Modern English -
English language develops differences in America vs. Britain -
Rapid inventions and science bring new words into English -
English spreads even more globally through politics, military, and media. -
Online Communication creates new English slang, abbreviations, and global sharing