Here's a simplified breakdown of the lineage:
* Proto-Indo-European: This is the hypothetical ancestor of many languages, including English, German, Sanskrit, Greek, and Latin. It was spoken in the Eurasian Steppe around 4,500 years ago.
* Proto-Germanic: Proto-Indo-European split into various branches, one of which was Proto-Germanic. It was spoken in the region that is now northern Germany and Scandinavia.
* Old English: Around 450 AD, Germanic tribes brought their languages (including Old English) to the British Isles, where they mixed with the existing Celtic languages. Old English was heavily influenced by Proto-Germanic.
* Middle English: After the Norman Conquest of 1066, English started to incorporate words from Old French, creating Middle English. This era was a mix of Germanic and French influences.
* Modern English: The language we speak today, Modern English, evolved from Middle English and continues to incorporate words from other languages.
So, while English has its roots in Proto-Germanic, it has also been influenced by many other languages throughout its history.