Old English (Anglo-Saxon)
* Roots: Primarily from Germanic languages, particularly the language of the Anglo-Saxon tribes who settled in Britain.
* Influence: Words relating to daily life, nature, and basic concepts. Examples: "bread," "sun," "father," "house."
Middle English
* Roots: Influenced heavily by Norman French following the Norman Conquest of 1066.
* Influence: Words relating to law, government, religion, and culture. Examples: "justice," "parliament," "church," "noble."
Early Modern English
* Roots: Continued influence of French, as well as Latin and Greek (through the Renaissance).
* Influence: More academic and literary terms, scientific vocabulary, and words relating to exploration and commerce. Examples: "gravity," "philosophy," "bank," "export."
Modern English
* Roots: Continues to borrow and adapt words from other languages.
* Influence: New technologies, global communication, and cultural exchange bring in new words and phrases from all over the world.
Key Points:
* Evolution: Languages are constantly changing and evolving.
* Borrowing: Languages borrow words from each other. English is particularly famous for its vast vocabulary derived from multiple sources.
* Neologisms: New words are constantly being coined to describe new concepts and things.
Therefore, English words have been created and shaped by countless individuals over centuries, reflecting the historical, cultural, and technological influences on the language.