Events that shaped English

The Anglo-Saxons

The Angelo-Saxons settled in England and shaped the english language around seventh, eight and ninth centuries.

The Anglo-Saxons are mentioned because many of the basic words in the english language came from the Anglo-Saxons.

The Angelo-Saxons were farmers, so they gave the english language many words related to farming such as sheep, shepard, ox, earth and field. Also the most basic words such as you, is, the, and that can be traced back to the Anglo-Saxons.

Scandinavian Settlement

Scandinavian invaders came in large numbers to Britain in the middle of the ninth century.

The scandinavians are mentioned because Norse had a great influence on English.

Since Norse had a great influence on the english language, the scandinavians came with words that affected English. Basic words such as take and they are borrowed from Norse.

1066 and after

After William the Conqueror defeated Harold Godwinson at the battle of Hastings in 1066, the english language had hug changes. Because the english language got many loanwords from French and Latin, the number of words in the language increased hugely, and the Old English went over to Middle English. This is a summary of when, why and how the chapter 1066 and after is mentioned.

Standardization

In the late medeval and early modern periodes, there was a process of standardizing English.

The english language was standardized because there were to many dialects in the Middle English. Also in the 16th century the use of printing press increased and the spelling became standardized.

The London standard became dominant and was therefore associated with knowledge. Over time a change in the pronunciation of English occured, this change is known as the Great Vowel Shift, and the Modern English was a reality.

Colonization and Globalization

The English language spread throughout the world when the British explored the world and made colonizations.

Colonization and Globalization is mentioned because English is now a world language and used as a language of administration and diplomacy on every continent.

The English language became a world language and therefore and important language when the English made colonies and got loanwords from around the world, as well as many new varieties of English.