Evolution of the English Language: From Celts to Anglo-Saxons
The English language has evolved from the ancient Celts through the Roman Empire and Anglo-Saxon invasions. Influences from Latin, Greek, and Germanic languages have shaped modern English. Explore the history and cultural impacts of these civilizations on the development of the English language.
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What is your favorite English word? Why? What do you know about the history of the English language? What are some interesting features of the English language? Why is it difficult for adults to learn the English language?
The Celts were a civilization that spanned much of Western Europe throughout antiquity. They still exist today in regions of Ireland, France, and Wales.
The Celts religion was run by Druids, they believed in Animism, human sacrifice, and reincarnation. File:Stonehenge2007 07 30.jpg
The Romans came in 55 B.C. and, led by Julius Caesar, the highly organized Roman legions annihilated the Celts and conquered most of Briton. The 6th Roman Legion at Jerash, Jordan. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.
As the Roman Empire slowly disintegrated they left Briton after 500 years, leaving behind their modernizations of baths, aqueducts, roads, bridges etc. but not much in the way of language. The Celts did not get much of a break, only a few decades later (449 AD) the Anglo-Saxons invaded.
The Anglo-Saxons brought the Anglisc (or Anglish) language with them, where we get our modern word for English. This is a Germanic language and is the basis for what we speak today, though much of our vocabulary comes from different sources such as French and Norse. The Anglo-Saxons were German tribes, you might view modern English people as German descendants! File:Anglosaxonrunes.svg
Brought Christianity to England in 597 AD. Changed forever the culture and religion of the region. Christianity brought Latin and Greek roots to the English language. Many of the Latin words we use come from this transformation, NOT from the Roman occupation.
Discuss how foreign non-English influences have affected our language and culture. Include influences we ve discussed so far (Celtic, Roman, German) as well as ones we will discuss today (Norse, French) and any others you can think of (Chinese, Russian, Egyptian etc.).
From 800-1050 A.D. the Vikings invaded and brought the Norse language. Alfred the Great saved the English language by defeating Viking attacks and establishing English libraries. Many Norse words still exist in everyday use: husband, anger, hell, skill, berserk, trust, weak etc.
William the Conqueror brought the French language with him when he invaded England in 1066 A.D. in what was called the Norman Conquest. He established the feudal order and first tax codes It became the official language, and English became the language of the lower classes.
The Legacy of the French: Over 10,000 English words are French in origin. That s more vocabulary from French than Old and Middle English combined! During French rule, the French words became polite and English words became vulgar . Examples: guts vs. intestines, sweat vs. perspire The French took English wives, which contributed to the downfall of the French language.
English makes a comeback and sticks around for good this time after English victories over the French during the 100 Years War. English long bowmen defeated French feudal knights in battles which inspired English nationalism and independence. The Bubonic Plague (Black Death) ended the feudal system.
File:Origins of English PieChart.svg French + Latin = 58% German/Norse = 26% Greek = 6%
Before 55 BC Celts in Briton, almost no influence 55 BC 410 AD Roman rule, very little influence 449 AD Anglo-Saxons become permanent settlers of the island, give us our Germanic structure and a significant contribution to our vocabulary 597 AD St. Augustine and Christianity bring Latin and Greek into our vocabulary 800 1050 AD Viking invasions bring many Norse words into everyday use 1066 AD William the Conqueror and the Normans bring French to England, which eventually fades but leaves behind much of our vocabulary
basket (Celtic) doe (Celtic) god = good (Old English) oft = often (Old English) color (Latin) focus (Latin) anger (Norse) trust (Norse) deux = deuce (French) energie = energy (French)
cross (Celtic) fidelity (Latin) solitude (French) bog (Celtic) democracy (French) free (Old English) technique (French)
make (Old English) awe (Norse) justice (French) ugly (Norse) anniversary (Latin) vanity (Latin) acorn (Old English) deluxe (French) word (Old English) vocabulary (French)
What are the benefits and drawbacks of our language having so many origins, so much variation, and so much diversity? Also, what are the benefits and drawbacks of having a language that evolves so rapidly over time?
