Old English (449 - 1066 AD):
* Anglo-Saxon Invasion: Germanic tribes (Angles, Saxons, Jutes) invaded Britain, displacing the Celtic inhabitants and establishing a new language – Old English.
* Vocabulary: Old English words were predominantly Germanic, focusing on everyday life, nature, and basic concepts. Examples: "bread," "house," "sun," "father."
* Grammar: Old English had a complex system of grammatical cases (nominative, accusative, etc.) and verb conjugations.
Middle English (1066 - 1485 AD):
* Norman Conquest: The Norman invasion in 1066 led by William the Conqueror brought French as the language of the ruling class.
* Language Blend: English gradually absorbed many French words, especially in areas like government, law, food, and fashion. Examples: "government," "judge," "beef," "fashion."
* Grammar Shift: Old English's grammatical complexity began to simplify, leading to a more analytic system.
Early Modern English (1485 - 1800 AD):
* Renaissance and Printing Press: The Renaissance and the invention of the printing press led to standardization and greater literacy.
* Vocabulary Expansion: New words entered the language from Latin and Greek through the influence of scientific discoveries, religious thought, and the rediscovery of classical literature.
* Grammar Stabilization: The grammar continued to simplify, losing most of its inflections.
Late Modern English (1800 - Present):
* Global Expansion and Colonialism: British colonialism spread English around the world, leading to variations in pronunciation, vocabulary, and grammar.
* Technological Advancements: The 20th and 21st centuries witnessed a rapid influx of new words and expressions related to technology, science, and pop culture.
* Continued Evolution: English continues to evolve through the adoption of new words, slang, and grammatical shifts, reflecting the changing world and its diverse communities.
Key Influences:
* Germanic: (Old English) - Core vocabulary, basic grammar structure
* French: (Norman Conquest) - Words related to government, law, food, fashion
* Latin: (Renaissance, Scientific Revolution) - Scientific terms, religious words, literary influences
* Greek: (Renaissance, Scientific Revolution) - Scientific terms, philosophical concepts
* Other Languages: Borrowings from various languages, including Dutch, Spanish, Arabic, and more.
Understanding these stages and influences helps us appreciate the rich and dynamic history of the English language, which continues to adapt and evolve.