History of the English Language

Early English Language and History

• Geoffrey Chaucer was a writer and poet who is considered the father of the English language.
• Chaucer's English became a global language for communication.
• English language has its roots in Old English, which was spoken by the Anglo-Saxons (5th-11th centuries).
• The Anglo-Saxons were made up of three ethnic groups: Jutes, Angles, and Saxons.

Old English Period (5th-11th centuries)

• This period was characterized by the Heptarchy, which consisted of seven Anglo-Saxon kingdoms.
• The seven kingdoms were: North Umbria, Mercia, East Anglia, Wessex, Essex, Kent, and Sussex.
• King Alfred was a significant figure during this period.
• The Christianization of Britain and England occurred during this period, with the help of Christian missionaries from Rome and England.
• St. Augustine of Hippo and St. Patrick were instrumental in building churches and monasteries.
• The church was the most powerful institution during this period.

Influences on the English Language

• Latin had a significant influence on the English language, making it difficult to distinguish between the two languages.
• The Viking Conquest (8th-11th centuries) introduced the Norse language, which was spoken by seafaring armies from Norway, Sweden, and Denmark.
• The Norse language brought new ideas and products to England.
• The Noise Language, also known as Old Norse, influenced literature in Anglo-Saxon England.

Middle English Period (11th-15th centuries)

• The Norman Conquest of England in 1066 introduced French influence into the English language.
• This period saw the transition from Old English to Middle English.
• The Canterbury Tales, written by Geoffrey Chaucer, is a significant work from this period.

Early Modern English Period (1500s-1700s)

• The revision of the Bible (King James version) occurred during this period.
• William Shakespeare's plays, such as Romeo and Juliet, were written during this period.

Modern English Period (1600s-present)

• Industrialization and modernization characterized this period.
• Verbal communication became more prominent.
• People can create their own language to express themselves.

Grammar and Language

• Lindley Murray, known as the father of English grammar, was born in 1745 and wrote a standard grammar textbook that was used for 50 years in England and the US.
• Language can be classified into different categories, including dialect, semantics, and sign language.
• English is spoken in various forms, including British, American, Canadian, and South African English.

History of the English Language

• The term "England" means "land of the angels" and refers to the area where English is spoken.
• The English language has undergone significant changes over the centuries, with four distinct periods: Old English, Middle English, Early Modern English, and Modern English.