Historical

development of
English (Anglo Saxon
to global English )
Reporter Jamaica T. Nueva BSED-ENGLISH 1
“Through the centuries, the English
language continues to evolve”
 • The
English language is a West
Germanic language originated in
England.

• It is the third most spoken

language in the world.

• English has been influenced by a

number of other languages over
the centuries, including Old
Norse, Latin, French, and Dutch.
Anglo-Saxon
• English began from the fifth century.

• Their intermingling created a new Germanic

language; now referred to as Anglo-Saxon, or
Old English.

• The waves of attack by the Angles, Saxons,

Jutes and Frisians.
The Vikings and the
Scandinavian Influence
• From the 8th to the 10th centuries CE, the
British Isles suffered a new wave of invasion
and settlement.
• Danelaw
• speak the language of old Norse ( sky, bag, law, hit) “they”
Hwæt. We Gardena in
geardagum,
peodcyninga, þrym gefrunon,
hu ða æpelingas ellen
fremedon.
Middle English
• The Norman Conquest, resulting from Battle of

Hastings in 1066, gave the English language its

strongest change in direction.
• spoke a dialect of old French then emerged with old English
creating what we called middle English.
• The English absorbed about 10,000 new words
from the Normans.
Middle English
• these words are commonly seen in the spheres of law, religion,
science.
• synonyms ( cow, pig, chicken) to (pork beef poultry)
• one step closer to the language we now know today.
Whan that Aprille, with his shoures
soote
The droghte of March hath perced to
the roote
And bathed every veyne in swich
licour,
Of which vertu engendred is the
flour;
Early Modern English
• in the 15th century happened the “Great vowel shift”. Which
propelled English into its modern version.

• English vowels like “oo” – “oh”

• consonants become unpronounceable “silent letters”.

Two households, both alike in
dignity
(In fair Verona, where we lay our
scene),
From ancient grudge break to new
mutiny,
Where civil blood makes civil
hands unclean
 The British Empire
• Its height encompassed one quarter of the

Earth’s land mass, and ruled over hundreds of

millions of different peoples throughout the world.
• The English language evolve alongside this
empire, with words being adopted into the
vocabulary.
• Numerous words from India alone have become
common in English today, such as; pajamas,
khaki, bungalow, shampoo and thug-to name but a few
 The American English
• The American influence on English has been
profound.
• American literature became more popular in
England, as did films with the advent of the
movies, Hollywood, songs, music, dance, and
many American programmes on television.
• These factors together with the age of the
computer, means that even more
Americanisms and phrases have been
adopted into the English vocabulary
The Global English
“For the first time in human society, a single language is used as the world’s connecting
language. “Linguist David Graddol (2006) Global English is a simplified, logical, and
literary variety of English that contains no slang or colloquialisms unique to a geographical
place.

Although there are no set rules for Global English,

common features include: simple syntax, removal
of idioms and phrasal verbs, use of active over
passive voice, being direct, and using simple
Thank You for listening!

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