* Evolution, not a single moment: Languages evolve gradually over long periods. English didn't suddenly appear on a specific day, but developed from earlier languages and influences.
* Tracing back to Proto-Indo-European: Linguists trace English back to Proto-Indo-European, a hypothetical ancestral language spoken in Europe around 4,500 years ago.
* Angles, Saxons, and Jutes: Around the 5th century CE, Germanic tribes (Angles, Saxons, Jutes) invaded Britain, bringing their languages that eventually formed Old English.
* Norman Conquest (1066): This event significantly impacted English, introducing French vocabulary and changing the structure of the language.
So, instead of a date, we talk about periods:
* Old English (450-1150 CE): This is the period when the language was most influenced by Anglo-Saxon languages.
* Middle English (1150-1500 CE): This period marks the blending of Old English with Norman French, leading to major changes in vocabulary and grammar.
* Early Modern English (1500-1800 CE): The language started to resemble modern English, with the printing press playing a major role in standardizing the language.
* Modern English (1800-present): This is the period that includes the English language we know today, continuing to evolve through new technologies, globalization, and cultural influences.
In essence, the English language has been evolving for centuries, and continues to change.