1. Old English (Anglo-Saxon): This Germanic language, brought to Britain by Germanic tribes around the 5th century, forms the foundation of English. It contributed the bulk of our basic vocabulary, including words for everyday objects, nature, and family. Examples include "bread," "water," "father," and "house."
2. Norman French: After the Norman Conquest in 1066, French became the language of the ruling class. This led to a massive influx of French words into English, particularly in areas like government, law, food, and literature. Examples include "parliament," "justice," "beef," and "poetry."
However, other significant influences include:
* Latin: As the language of the Church and education, Latin contributed many words related to religion, science, and law.
* Greek: Similar to Latin, Greek provided numerous words for academic and scientific terms.
* Scandinavian (Old Norse): Viking raids brought Norse words into English, including words like "skull," "knife," and "berserk."
* Dutch, Spanish, Italian, Arabic, etc.: Over centuries, English has absorbed words from various other languages due to trade, colonization, and cultural exchange.
Ultimately, English is a language shaped by a rich and complex history, making it hard to pinpoint just two "greatest" influences. Each contribution has played a role in making it the dynamic and versatile language it is today.