Old English (Anglo-Saxon): The foundation of English is Old English, a Germanic language spoken by Anglo-Saxon settlers in Britain. This period (449-1066 AD) gave us words like "bread," "house," "water," "dog," "father," and "mother."
Norman French: The Norman Conquest of 1066 led to a massive influx of French words, particularly those relating to government, law, religion, and culture. We owe words like "government," "justice," "religion," "castle," "beauty," and "table" to this influence.
Latin: Latin, the language of the Roman Empire, also contributed significantly, especially in academic and scientific fields. Words like "science," "history," "education," "human," and "animal" stem from Latin.
Greek: Greek words, primarily relating to philosophy, art, and science, further enriched English vocabulary. Words like "philosophy," "democracy," "drama," "physics," and "mathematics" are of Greek origin.
Other Germanic Languages: English borrowed words from other Germanic languages, including Old Norse, Dutch, and German. We owe words like "skull," "anger," "berserk," "ship," and "weekend" to these influences.
Romance Languages: Beyond French, English took words from other Romance languages like Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese. We see this in words like "bravo," "studio," "piano," "alligator," and "chocolate."
Arabic: Arabic contributed words to English, particularly in the fields of science, mathematics, and trade. Words like "algebra," "zero," "coffee," "sugar," and "cotton" have Arabic origins.
Hindi: English has borrowed words from Hindi, particularly related to food and culture. Words like "curry," "bungalow," "loot," and "jungle" are of Hindi origin.
Chinese: English has taken words from Chinese, particularly related to trade and culture. Words like "tea," "silk," "typhoon," and "kung fu" are from Chinese.
Japanese: English has borrowed words from Japanese, mainly in the realm of technology and culture. Words like "karaoke," "tsunami," "sushi," and "manga" are of Japanese origin.
Beyond vocabulary: Languages have also influenced English grammar and syntax, creating a unique system of communication.
Modern English: Today, English continues to borrow words from other languages, reflecting its global reach and cultural interaction. This ongoing process makes English a dynamic and ever-evolving language.