|
Changes
in Language
The
English language over time...
The English
language is used by more then 450 million people in almost
every place around the world.The history of the English language
can be divided into three main periods, Old English, Middle
English, and Modern English.
Old
English
Around
500 C.E., three Germatic tribes, the Angles, the Saxons, and
the Jutes, invaded Britian. Through their influence the local
peoples developed a language which is today known as Old English.
While Christianity spread during the 500's and 600's, many
latin words (the language used by Cathlolosism) were added
to the language and later, Scandinavian words were added due
to their invasion of England.
Middle
English
England
was conquered by the Normands in 1066. Under the new power,
Old English was no longer considered the offical language
of the area. It was instead, Normand French. However, the
common people continued to speak English, but incorporated
thousands of French words.This new French influenced English
was called Middle English and was spoken between 1200 and
1600.
Modern
English
During
the Renaissance period of the 1500's, many people became intrested
in classic arts. Because of this, many Greek and even more
latin words were added to the language. Also, through travel
and trade, many words from foreign lands added to the language.
|