-
When Old English started.
-
William the Conqueror invaded and conquered England. In the 14th century English became dominant in Britain again, but with many French words added. This language is called Middle English.
-
Old English was spoken until around 1100.
-
The time people used Middle English.
-
It would still be difficult for native English speakers to understand today.
-
A sudden and distinct change in pronunciation (The Great Vowel Shift) started, with vowels being pronounced shorter and shorter. This, and the Renaissance of Classical learning, meant that many new words and phrases entered the language.
-
When the first English dictionary was made.
-
When less and less people used Early Modern English.
-
The time people started useing this language.
-
Modern English has many more words than the Early Modern English, The English language adopted foreign words from many countries.
-
Today we still use Modern English. It is used throughout the whole United States.
-
Three Germanic tribes who invaded Britain during the 5th century AD. At that time the people of Britain spoke a Celtic language. But most of the Celtic speakers were pushed west and north by the invaders. The Angles came from Englaland and their language was called Englisc - from which the words England and English are like the same.