What is the order steps in development of modern English beginning with Indo-European?

Here's a breakdown of the major stages in the development of modern English, starting with its Indo-European roots:

1. Proto-Indo-European (PIE) (c. 4500-2500 BCE):

* This is the hypothetical ancestor of most European and many Asian languages. We have no written records of PIE, but linguists have reconstructed it based on similarities in vocabulary and grammar among its descendants.

* Key Features: A complex system of noun declensions (cases) and verb conjugations, a system of suffixes to form words.

2. Proto-Germanic (c. 500 BCE - 500 CE):

* One of the branches of PIE, Proto-Germanic gave rise to all Germanic languages, including English.

* Key Changes: Simpler noun declensions, introduction of a new grammatical element called the "weak verb" system, and a shift from a synthetic language (relying heavily on endings) to an analytic language (using word order and prepositions more).

3. Old English (c. 450 - 1150 CE):

* The language of the Anglo-Saxons who migrated to England.

* Key Features: Based on Proto-Germanic, but with substantial influences from Old Norse (Vikings) and some Latin.

* Examples: "Beowulf," "The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle"

4. Middle English (c. 1150 - 1500 CE):

* This period saw the Norman conquest of England in 1066, leading to a huge influx of French vocabulary and grammar.

* Key Features: A blend of Old English and French, with changes in pronunciation, grammar, and vocabulary.

* Examples: "Canterbury Tales" by Chaucer, "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight"

5. Early Modern English (c. 1500 - 1800 CE):

* The period of the Renaissance, Reformation, and the rise of printing.

* Key Features: A significant expansion of vocabulary, standardization of spelling and grammar, and the beginnings of the Great Vowel Shift (major changes in vowel pronunciation).

* Examples: Shakespeare's plays, the King James Bible

6. Modern English (c. 1800 - present):

* The language we speak today, with ongoing changes in vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation.

* Key Features: A highly developed language with a large vocabulary, influenced by global contacts and technology.

Important Points to Remember:

* Gradual Evolution: Language development is a gradual process, not a series of abrupt shifts.

* Borrowing: Languages constantly borrow words and grammatical structures from each other.

* Regional Variations: Even within "Modern English," there are regional dialects and variations in pronunciation, vocabulary, and grammar.

Hope this helps!