1. Historical Influences:
* Roman Conquest: While the Romans didn't directly conquer Britain, they had a strong presence in Gaul (modern France), which was a source of early words for things like military, government, and law. This influence was further amplified by the spread of Christianity, which used Latin for religious texts.
* Norman Conquest: The Norman Conquest in 1066 brought the French language, heavily influenced by Latin, into England. This led to a significant influx of words related to aristocracy, administration, and law.
* Renaissance & Enlightenment: The Renaissance saw a resurgence of interest in classical learning, leading to the adoption of Latin and Greek words in areas like science, philosophy, and art.
2. Language Evolution:
* Borrowing: Languages constantly borrow words from each other, and English has been particularly adept at this. Latin and Greek, with their established systems for naming concepts and scientific terminology, were attractive sources.
* Prestige: These languages were associated with education, authority, and sophistication, making their words desirable for use in English.
3. Vocabulary Breakdown:
While a significant portion of English vocabulary has Latin and Greek roots, it's not the majority.
* Germanic Roots: English is ultimately a Germanic language, and about 25-30% of its core vocabulary derives from Old English, a Germanic language. This includes everyday words like "house," "father," and "dog."
* Other Influences: English has also borrowed words from French, Scandinavian, Dutch, Spanish, Arabic, and many other languages.
Therefore, while Latin and Greek have had a profound impact on English, it's important to remember that the language is a complex tapestry woven from many sources.