1. Proto-Germanic: The journey begins with Proto-Germanic, an ancient language spoken by people who migrated from the north of Europe around 2000 BCE. It's like a great-grandparent language to modern English.
2. Old English (449 CE - 1150 CE): Germanic tribes (Angles, Saxons, and Jutes) invaded Britain, bringing their language with them. This language is called Old English, and it's the direct ancestor of modern English. It was heavily influenced by the language of the Celts who already inhabited Britain. Think of Old English as the grandmother language of modern English.
3. Middle English (1150 CE - 1485 CE): The Norman Conquest of 1066 brought French-speaking Normans to England. This led to a significant influence of French on English, changing the grammar and vocabulary. Middle English is the great-aunt language of modern English.
4. Early Modern English (1485 CE - 1700 CE): During the Renaissance, the printing press was invented and more people learned to read and write. This era also saw great exploration and interaction with other cultures, leading to more words being borrowed from languages around the world. Early Modern English is the aunt language of modern English.
5. Modern English (1700 CE - present): This is the English we speak today. It has continued to evolve, with new words constantly being added and existing words changing their meanings. Modern English is influenced by technology, globalization, and various cultural trends.
In essence, English is a language that has been shaped by a long and complex history of migration, conquest, cultural exchange, and the influence of other languages.