Words

Origin and Diffusion of the English Language

  • Jan 19, 1066

    England was conquered by the Normans.

    England was conquered by the Normans.
    The Normans came from Normandy and took over England.
  • Period: Jan 19, 1066 to Jan 19, 1362

    French was the official language of England.

  • Jan 19, 1204

    English is the country's dominant language.

    English is the country's dominant language.
    King John of England lost control of Normandy and England entered a long period of conflict with the Normans which resulted in fewer people wanting to speak French, so they spoke English.
  • Jan 19, 1362

    Statute of Pleading is passed by Parliament.

    Statute of Pleading is passed by Parliament.
    Parliament changed the official language of court business from French to English.
  • Period: Jan 19, 1362 to

    English becomes the official language of England.

  • Jan 19, 1476

    The major dialect of London was spread profusively through the printing press.

    The major dialect of London was spread profusively through the printing press.
    Through the genius of Cambridge and Oxford, the printing press was invented and spread the London dialect around the country.
  • Period: to

    English Colonization spreads English further around the world.

    This spreads English and creates several different dialects and variations of English. (Africa, Australia, India, American)
  • English was spread to the midlands of the newly found land.

    English was spread to the midlands of the newly found land.
    Jamestown, Vriginia was established.
  • English was spread to the northern parts of the new found land.

    English was spread to the northern parts of the new found land.
    The settlement of Plymouth, Massachusettes was created.
  • Creation of Webster's Dicitonary

    Creation of Webster's Dicitonary
    Webster in creating his dictionary, spread a new version of English that differed from British English.
  • Philipines gained independence from the US.

    Philipines gained independence from the US.
    The Philipines even though was not apart of the US, still retained the English language as an official language.