The History of the English Language Flashcards

Flashcards covering the evolution of the English language, from Old English to Contemporary English.

Old English (450–1100 AD)

Developed from Germanic tribes (Angles, Saxons, Jutes); also known as Anglo-Saxon; Influenced by Latin and Old Norse; Highly inflected language; Example: hūs → house; Famous work: Beowulf

Middle English (1100–1500 AD)

Norman Conquest introduced French influence; Became the language of Royal Court and business class; 14th century English became dominant; Simplified grammar, expanded vocabulary with added French words; Transition to a more recognizable English

Norman Conquest

Introduced French influence into English, impacting the Royal Court, ruling, and business classes.

Modern English (1500–Present)

Renaissance & Printing Press standardized spelling & grammar; Latin & Greek influence; Great Vowel Shift changed pronunciation; Shakespeare coined words; First English Dictionary published in 1604; The King James Bible- 1611

Great Vowel Shift

A significant change in pronunciation during the Modern English period.

Contemporary English

Spread globally through colonial expansion; Spoken by 1.5 billion+ people worldwide; Constantly evolving with technology and globalization; New words: tweet, selfie, emoji; A dynamic and widely spoken language

Global Lingua Franca

English is considered a global lingua franca due to its widespread use and influence worldwide.