-
The first languages that we know about in the British Isles are the Celtic ones like Welsh and Scots. These people probably settled here about 600 BC. Words of Celtic origin in modern English: pet, slogan, trousers
-
The Romans invaded Britain and introduced Latin. They gave Latin names to places and some of these names are still used today.
-
The Anglo-Saxons began to inhabit Britain. They spoke the language which over time turned into English. Words of Anglo-Saxon origin in modern English: arm, dark, forgive, laugh, pillow, read, strong, cow, house, bread, sword
-
The Anglo-Saxons started becoming Christians and English adopted new words from Latin such as angel, candle, martyr, plant, noon, school.
-
The Vikings came from Scandinavia and invaded Britain. They brought lots of new words to the English language such as bull, law, reindeer, wing.
-
Normans from France invaded England and introduced an early version of French. Britain's nobility spoke French for over 300 years. Words of French origin in modern English: castle, dragon, market, music, perform, war
-
(Middle) English gradually took over again from the early French.
-
An interest in having a Standard way of English came with the introduction of the printing press.
-
Words from Latin and Greek made its way into the English language.
-
The New Testament of the Bible was translated into English.
-
William Shakespeare began writing plays. He invented almost 2,000 new words in English like gloomy, investment, luggage, stealthy which are still in use today.
-
Samuel Johnson published his Dictionary of the English Language. He hoped he would refine the English language. He is responsible for many spellings in modern English.
-
English spread across the world.
-
The English we speak today is influenced by immigration and historical events.