Here's why:
* Dates: Old English existed roughly from the 5th century to the 12th century AD.
* Origins: It developed from the dialects of the Germanic tribes (Angles, Saxons, and Jutes) who invaded and settled in Britain.
* Influence: It's the direct ancestor of modern English and influenced many of our vocabulary and grammar rules.
While Old English may seem very different from modern English, it's important to remember that language evolves over time. We can still recognize words like "morgen" (morning), "steorra" (star), and "hlaf" (loaf) in Old English, showing the connection to our modern language.