1. The Norman Conquest (1066): This pivotal event led to the introduction of Norman French into England, which became the language of the ruling class, law, and administration. While Old English didn't disappear, it was heavily influenced by French, leading to a gradual shift in vocabulary and syntax.
2. The Great Vowel Shift (14th-18th centuries): This gradual sound change affected the pronunciation of vowels, causing major changes in spelling and pronunciation, further distancing Modern English from its Old English roots.
3. Linguistic Evolution: Like all languages, English continues to evolve over time, with new words being adopted, old ones falling into disuse, and grammar rules changing.
Key Differences:
* Vocabulary: Old English vocabulary was largely Germanic in origin, whereas Modern English contains a significant proportion of words derived from French and Latin.
* Grammar: Old English grammar was more complex, with a more extensive system of inflections (word endings that indicate grammatical function) and grammatical genders. Modern English grammar is simpler, with fewer inflections.
* Syntax: Sentence structures in Old English were often more flexible and less fixed than in Modern English.
* Pronunciation: The Great Vowel Shift dramatically altered the pronunciation of vowels, making Old English nearly unintelligible to a modern speaker.
Example:
* Old English: "Hēo þā gān þæt land" (She then went to the land)
* Modern English: "She then went to the land."
In essence, Old English is considered a different language from Modern English, though it is its ancestor. The evolution of English was a long and complex process with various factors contributing to its current state.