Here's how it works:
* Proto-Indo-European (PIE): This is the "great-grandmother" language of many modern languages, including English. It's reconstructed by linguists, as there are no written records of it.
* Indo-European Languages: From PIE, many branches of languages developed, including Germanic, Romance, Slavic, and others.
* Proto-Germanic: English belongs to the Germanic branch, specifically descended from Proto-Germanic, a language spoken around 2000-500 BCE.
* Old English: Around 450 CE, Germanic tribes brought their language to England, which became Old English, heavily influenced by Latin and the Anglo-Saxon culture.
* Middle English: From the 11th century onward, the Norman conquest of England introduced French influences, leading to Middle English, a blend of Old English and Norman French.
* Modern English: This period, starting around the 15th century, saw a shift in pronunciation, grammar, and vocabulary, solidifying the English we know today.
So, while it's impossible to pinpoint an exact "root" word or phrase, the story of the English language is a complex and fascinating journey through time and cultures.