1. Proto-Indo-European (c. 4500-2500 BCE):
* The ancestor of many languages including English.
* Spoken by a group of people who lived in the steppes of what is now Ukraine and Russia.
2. Proto-Germanic (c. 500-500 BCE):
* A branch of Proto-Indo-European spoken by Germanic tribes.
* Features the development of the "Grimm's Law" sound shifts that distinguish Germanic languages.
3. Old English (c. 450-1150):
* The language of the Anglo-Saxons, who invaded and settled Britain.
* Heavily influenced by Old Norse, bringing in words like "skull," "berserk," and "knife."
* Known for its inflected grammar and use of runic script.
* Examples: *Beowulf*, *The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle*
4. Middle English (c. 1150-1500):
* The language of the Norman Conquest (1066), which brought French influences to the English language.
* French words like "government," "justice," and "castle" were integrated.
* Grammar became simplified, with a reduction in inflections.
* Examples: *Canterbury Tales* by Chaucer
5. Early Modern English (c. 1500-1800):
* The period of the Renaissance and the Reformation.
* Increased standardization of spelling and grammar, thanks to figures like William Shakespeare.
* The Great Vowel Shift, a major change in pronunciation, occurred.
* Many words were borrowed from Latin and Greek, furthering vocabulary expansion.
* Examples: The King James Bible, Shakespeare's plays
6. Late Modern English (c. 1800-present):
* Characterized by continued vocabulary growth, including the introduction of new words from science, technology, and globalization.
* Grammar continues to evolve, with informal and slang expressions becoming more accepted.
* Examples: Modern literature, newspapers, and online communication
Important Notes:
* This is a simplification of a complex and ongoing process.
* The boundaries between these periods are not always clear-cut.
* The English language continues to evolve and change with each generation.