* Latin: English is a Germanic language, meaning its roots are in the Germanic languages spoken by tribes that migrated to Britain. However, Latin was brought to Britain by the Romans, who occupied the island for centuries. This left a strong impact on English vocabulary, with many Latin words entering the language, particularly in areas like law, government, religion, and science.
* Greek: While less direct than Latin, Greek influence on English also exists. It primarily came through Latin, as many Latin words were derived from Greek. Additionally, Greek influence can be seen in scientific and philosophical terms, as well as some everyday words like "telephone" and "democracy."
Think of it like this:
* English is a tree with Germanic roots.
* Latin is a large branch that grew out of the tree, contributing heavily to the tree's overall shape and size.
* Greek is another branch, smaller than Latin, but still important, influencing both Latin and English.
Therefore, it's not accurate to say English "came from" Greek and Latin. Instead, we can say it was significantly influenced by them, resulting in a diverse and rich vocabulary.