History of the english language

By Eloig
  • Period: 600 BCE to 55 BCE

    Celtic

    The first languages in the British Isles are the Celtic ones like Welsh and Scottish Gaelic. These people settled the British Isles about
    600 BC. That is more than 2500 years ago! word of the Celtic: Galore, Hubbub, Lawn and Leprechaun.
  • Period: 55 BCE to 450

    Romans

    In 55BC, there was an invasion by the Romans, who spoke Latin.
    They gave Latin names to places and some of these names are still used today. Words of Romans: Triumph, Ovation, Consul and Augur.
  • Period: 450 to 800

    Anglo-saxons

    The first people who spoke English
    arrived in England in about the year 450.
    These people were the Anglo-Saxons
    and their language was Old English. Words of Anglo-saxons: nama, noma, spell, tru- and wif-.
  • Period: 800 to 1066

    vikings

    From about 800, the Vikings started to invade Britain.
    The Vikings came from countries like Denmark and
    Norway and spoke a language that developed
    into Norwegian and Danish Words of vikings: berserk, ugly, muck, skull, knife, die and cake!
  • Period: 1066 to 1400

    normans

    In 1066, the Normans invaded England from Normandy in France.
    They spoke an earlier version of French and this became the language of prestige in England. Words of Normans: 'soup', 'lettuce', 'pheasant', 'pastry', 'ginger', 'sauce', 'chestnut' and 'mustard'.
  • Period: 1400 to 1476

    MIDDLE ENGLISH

    There were no more invasions of England. English became more important than French. A number of books were published in Middle English.
    The most famous is a book of stories called
    The Canterbury Tales (1400) by Geoffrey Chaucer. Words of MIDDLE ENGLISH: nou and nu.
  • Period: 1476 to 1564

    the printing press

    With the invention of the printing press in 1476, publishing books in English became very popular. Words of the printing press: Centerfold, Out of Sorts
    Uppercase and Lowercase.
  • Period: 1564 to

    WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE

    There are many important authors in Modern English, but one of the most famous writers is William Shakespeare (1564 - 1616). Do you know any other writers from
    the British Isles? Words of WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE: