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What dialect did modern English come from?

Modern English came from Middle English, which evolved from Old English.

It's not as simple as saying "Modern English came from this specific dialect", though. It's more accurate to say that Modern English is a blend of influences from various dialects of Middle English, with the East Midland dialect being the most prominent.

Here's a simplified breakdown:

* Old English (c. 450-1150 AD): This was spoken by the Anglo-Saxons and was heavily influenced by Germanic languages.

* Middle English (c. 1150-1500 AD): This period saw the Norman Conquest in 1066, leading to a significant influx of French vocabulary and grammatical changes. Various dialects existed, but the East Midland dialect (centered around London) eventually rose in prominence.

* Early Modern English (c. 1500-1800 AD): This period saw the standardization of English through the influence of the printing press and the rise of a national identity. The East Midland dialect, with its London influence, became the foundation of modern English.

So, while we can't point to a single specific dialect, the East Midland dialect is considered the strongest contributor to the language we speak today.

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