What language did English emerge from?

English emerged from Old English, a language spoken by Germanic tribes who migrated to Britain around the 5th century AD.

Here's a breakdown:

* Proto-Germanic: The ancestor of all Germanic languages, including Old English, was Proto-Germanic.

* Old English: This language, spoken from roughly the 5th to 12th centuries, was heavily influenced by Old Norse (brought by Viking raiders) and Latin (from the Roman Empire).

* Middle English: After the Norman Conquest in 1066, English began to blend with Norman French, resulting in Middle English (roughly 12th to 15th centuries). This period is marked by changes in pronunciation and vocabulary.

* Modern English: Over time, the language continued to evolve, leading to the Modern English we speak today.

So, while English has roots in Old English, it's important to understand the influence of other languages, especially French and Latin, in shaping its evolution.