Here's a simplified breakdown:
1. Proto-Indo-European: The ancestor of many languages, including English, is believed to be Proto-Indo-European, spoken around 4500-2500 BCE in the Pontic-Caspian Steppe (modern-day Ukraine and Russia).
2. Proto-Germanic: Around 500 BCE, Proto-Indo-European split into various branches, including Proto-Germanic. It spread across northern Europe, evolving into the ancestor of modern Germanic languages.
3. Old English: Around 450 CE, Germanic tribes (Angles, Saxons, and Jutes) settled in Britain, bringing their language, Old English, which was heavily influenced by Latin.
4. Middle English: The Norman Conquest of 1066 introduced Norman French, which significantly impacted Old English, leading to the development of Middle English. This period saw a blend of English, French, and Latin vocabulary.
5. Early Modern English: The Renaissance (14th-17th centuries) saw a revival of classical learning, further enriching the vocabulary and grammar of English.
6. Modern English: Through global trade, colonialism, and technological advancements, English has continued to evolve into the modern language we know today.
Therefore, while English's direct origins are in Old English, its roots can be traced back to Proto-Indo-European, making it a fascinating mix of various influences.