I find the history of the evolution of the English language fascinating--though the complexity is a bit confusing. The creation of this diagram, along with the attached short explanation boils it down to simpler terms that even I can understand.
Bonus: I had no idea that "AD" was no longer the correct term for the time following Christ's death. It's now called "Common Era" or CE. Huh.
----------------------------------------
The figure below shows the timeline of the history of the English language. The earliest known residents of the British Isles were the Celts, who spoke Celtic languages--a separate branch of the Indo-European language family tree. Over the centuries the British Isles were invaded and conquered by various peoples, who brought their languages and customs with them as they settled in their new lives. There is now very little Celtic influence left in English. The earliest time when we can say that English was spoken was in the 5th century CE (Common Era--a politically correct term used to replace AD).
In case you hadn't made the connection, "England" <- "Engla Land" <- Angle Land (Land of the Angles, a people of northern old Germany). Their name lives on in the district of England named East Anglia, and also in the Anglican Church.
OriginalSourceandmoreinfo











Not sure why Latin comes into the diagram twice.
I've emailed the author and asked.
Posted by: Cyn | May 13, 2004 at 01:25 PM
How come latin is in that diagram twice, as two separate influences?
Posted by: Vanessa | May 13, 2004 at 09:15 AM
I find it interesting too.
Posted by: Rose | May 12, 2004 at 11:25 AM