1. Old English (c. 450 - 1150)
* Influences: Germanic tribes (Angles, Saxons, Jutes) invaded Britain, bringing their languages. Latin (from Roman occupation) also left a mark.
* Characteristics:
* Highly inflected (words changed form based on their grammatical function).
* Vocabulary focused on daily life, agriculture, and warfare.
* Examples: "Beowulf," "Anglo-Saxon Chronicle"
* Key Events:
* Germanic invasions of Britain
* Christianization of England
2. Middle English (c. 1150 - 1500)
* Influences: Norman Conquest (1066) brought French language dominance.
* Characteristics:
* Less inflection (simpler grammatical structures).
* Blend of Old English and Norman French vocabulary.
* Examples: "Canterbury Tales" by Chaucer
* Key Events:
* Norman Conquest of England
* Development of a standard written language
3. Early Modern English (c. 1500 - 1800)
* Influences: The Renaissance, exploration, printing press
* Characteristics:
* Further simplification of grammar.
* Expansion of vocabulary (from Greek, Latin, French)
* Standardization of spelling and punctuation.
* Examples: Shakespeare's plays, the King James Bible
* Key Events:
* Printing press brought wider literacy and standardized language.
* The Renaissance led to a surge in intellectual and artistic activity.
4. Late Modern English (c. 1800 - Present)
* Influences: Industrial Revolution, globalization, technology
* Characteristics:
* Continued evolution of vocabulary (new words, slang).
* Influences from other languages due to colonization and trade.
* Development of regional and social dialects.
* Examples: Modern literature, newspapers, scientific writing
* Key Events:
* Industrial Revolution
* Expansion of the British Empire
* Rise of the internet and digital communication
Note: These periods are not absolute, and there is some overlap and variation in dating. Furthermore, the English language continues to evolve today.