Important events that caused English to spread across the world

  • Queen Elizabeth I started the East India Company

    In the 1600's Queen Elizabeth l started the East India Company to develop trade between Britain and India and English quickly became the language used for trading. Many of the native Indian people thought that if they learned English a new world would open up to them. They would be able to read English books and experience English culture. The popularity of English has helped to create two new languages; Binglish and Hinglish.
  • Creole

    English arrived in the Caribbean with settlers in the 1620's. A new form of English called Creole is thought to have started as a simplified English spoken between sailors and slaves on the ships that brought the Africans to the Caribbean. We do know that the slaves used many English words, which they mixed with their native language. Many words in Creole were 'borrowed' from the indigenous population and are now used in the English language. Tobacco and hammock are two such examples.
  • The First Fleet

    The 'First Fleet' arrived in Port Jackson in Australia in 1788. 'The First Fleet' was a fleet of 11 ships, which held criminals who were 'transported for life'. This meant that they had committed a crime in England and as a punishment they were sent to live in Australia and were not allowed to return to England. Before being transported, the criminals used a slang called 'Flash'. Theses words are all 18th century words, but they are still used in Australia today.