The Origins of English

Timeline of historical and linguistic development

Old English          5th Century
 Language of Britain was Celtic. English developed from speech of the Jules, Angles and Saxon. Anglo-Saxon and Old Norse had a big impact on the English language. Vocab drawn from both.          Latin very influential part of the formation of English from this time onwards.  English language was mostly phonetic so meant little consistency in written language.



Middle English         11th Century
Norman invasion significant event in the history of English. French = verbal language of the court and administration while Latin remained important in written documentation. (especially by the church).


Early Modern English        15th Century
Caxton introduced printing press from Europe which helped contribute to the establishment of a standard form of English.    


Modern English        18th Century


Present-day English        20th Century