1. Germanic Languages:
* Old English (Anglo-Saxon): The base of English, heavily influenced by Old Frisian, Old Saxon, and Old Norse.
* Middle English: Continued influence from Old Norse, plus the impact of Norman French after the Norman Conquest in 1066.
2. Romance Languages:
* Norman French: Brought in by the Norman conquerors, influencing vocabulary, grammar, and syntax, leading to the modern English we know.
* Latin: Directly influenced through the church and scholarship, contributing to academic and legal vocabulary.
* Other Romance languages: Including Italian, Spanish, and French, with some words and phrases entering the English language over time.
3. Greek:
* Ancient Greek: Influenced scientific and philosophical terminology.
4. Other Sources:
* Celtic Languages: Some words like "dun," "crag," and "kilt" have Celtic origins.
* Scandinavian Languages: Words like "berserk" and "skull" have Scandinavian roots.
* Dutch: A few nautical terms.
* Arabic: Words like "algebra," "alchemist," and "zero" have Arabic roots.
5. Modern Influences:
* Hindi: Words like "bungalow" and "loot."
* Japanese: Words like "karaoke," "tsunami," and "manga."
* Other languages: English continues to borrow words from various languages as new concepts, technologies, and cultures emerge.
The Importance of "Borrowing"
It's important to remember that the process of "borrowing" words isn't just about copying. English has a way of adapting borrowed words to its own grammar and pronunciation, making them truly part of the language.
Conclusion:
While we can't give a precise number, it's clear that English has a rich and diverse linguistic history, drawing from a wide range of sources and constantly evolving. It's this very process of borrowing and adaptation that makes English such a dynamic and vibrant language.