Proto Indo-European.
English is a language that is closely related to many others, and can be traced back to a hypothetical language that linguists call "Proto Indo-European." Because this language is totally hypothetical and cannot be proven to ever actually exist "proto" is added to its name. Proto Indo-European is believed to have existed somewhere between 5000 and 3500 B.C and was probably spoken in the Ural mountains of Western Russia.
Old English.
Old English was first spoken by Angles, Saxons and Jutes, who were invaders from West Germany and Southern Denmark. They all settled in the British Isles, pushing out the Celts who were previously living there. Angles, Saxons and Jutes all spoke Old English - meaning they could understand each other and work together. Old English then evolved with influence from the viking settlements during the 9th century. Old English essentially consists of an anglo-saxon base with borrowed words from Latin and some Scandinavian languages including Danish and Norse.
Words From Old English:
1. Henceforth (from now on) 5. Quench (to satisfy thirst)
2. Naught (nothing) 6. Plenty (a full supply)
3. Thou (you) 7. Besmirch (smear so as to make dirty or stained)
4. Wrought (done, made, created) 8. Ditty (a short, simple song)
Words From Old English:
1. Henceforth (from now on) 5. Quench (to satisfy thirst)
2. Naught (nothing) 6. Plenty (a full supply)
3. Thou (you) 7. Besmirch (smear so as to make dirty or stained)
4. Wrought (done, made, created) 8. Ditty (a short, simple song)
Middle English.
Middle English was spoken roughly between the 12th and 15th century in Norman England, it is what we call the next step in the evolution of the English language after Old English. The Norman French conquered England in 1066, greatly influencing English as a language. The French became the ruling upper class, giving us words for topics including enducation, law and meat. By this time English had evolved from its anglo-saxon base to include words from Celtic, Latin, Danish, Norse and French, among others.
Words from Middle English:
1. Although 5. Wantrust (distrust) 9. Whylom (once upon a time)
2. Began 6. Morewe (morning) 10. Also
3. Kynde (nature) 7. Sely (innocent, simple) 11. But
4. Shende (destroy) 8. Nyce (foolish) 12. Been
Words from Middle English:
1. Although 5. Wantrust (distrust) 9. Whylom (once upon a time)
2. Began 6. Morewe (morning) 10. Also
3. Kynde (nature) 7. Sely (innocent, simple) 11. But
4. Shende (destroy) 8. Nyce (foolish) 12. Been