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Jan 19, 1066
England was conquered by the Normans
The Normans, who came from present-day Normandy in France, spoke French, whic they established as England's official language for the next 150 years. -
Period: Jan 19, 1066 to Jan 19, 1362
Official language in England is French
Normans created the official language, French, for the next 150 years -
Jan 19, 1204
England lost control of Normandy
England lost control of Normandy and entered a long period of conflict with France. As a result, fewer people in England wished to speak French -
Jan 19, 1362
Statute of Pleading
Because everyone in England was speaking English rather than French because of the conflicts with France, parliment enacted the Statute of Pleading in 1362 to change the official language of England from French to English -
Period: Jan 19, 1362 to
English remains the official language of England
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Period: to
English colonialization
English colonialization diffused English to several regions around the world. These include Ireland, South Asia, and Southern Africa. -
Jamestown colony was founded
With the first North American colony, this was the first case of English diffusion to North America. -
Plymouth, Massachusetts colony founded
Another example of English diffusion. This diffused English more northernly. -
England defeated France for North America
Because English and French were the dominant languages in North America, when the English won, English became the dominant language in North America. -
Ending of the Spanish-American War
After losing to America, the Spanish ceded the Philippines to America. Therefore, English was diffused to the Phillipines even after their independence in 1946 -
Philippines gaining independence
Dominant language remained English
