What According to scholars the English language is typically divided into how many historical periods?

Scholars typically divide the history of the English language into three major periods:

1. Old English (c. 450 - 1150 AD): This period is characterized by the arrival of Germanic tribes in Britain, the development of a distinct English language, and the influence of Old Norse.

2. Middle English (c. 1150 - 1485 AD): This period saw the Norman Conquest of England, resulting in a significant influx of French vocabulary and grammatical changes.

3. Modern English (c. 1485 - Present): This period marks the standardization of the language, the Renaissance influence, and the rise of global English.

It's important to note that these divisions are somewhat arbitrary and fluid, and there's ongoing debate about specific dates and characteristics of each period. Some scholars might further divide these periods into sub-periods, but the three-period division is the most common and widely accepted framework.