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200
Woodblock Printing
The first type of printing to become available. -
436
Roman's Officially Withdrawal from Britain
This event is what kicked off the start of the English language. At this time, the Celtic language is predominately used in Britain. -
Period: 450 to 1100
Old English
Old English came to life after Britain's Celtic language was changed by the invading Germans. The earliest known Old English inscriptions were from 450 AD.
Old English words: (thou-singular) (ye-plural) (eald-old) (hus-house) (expergefactor-anything that wakes you up) (andsaca-enemy) -
500
German Tribes Invade Britain
The Angles, the Saxons, and the Jutes invade Britain and bring a German influence to the Celtic language. -
700
The Latin Script Take its Affect
Christian missionaries introduce the Latin script and at this time it begins its journey of replacing Anglo-Saxon futhorc. -
Period: 700 to 1000
Beowulf is Written and Published
An Old English epic story that appears to be the oldest surviving long story from it's time. -
1066
William the Conqueror Invades and Conquers England
William the Conqueror is the Duke of Normandy, part of modern France, and brings a French style to England when he conquers it. The Royal Court and other people of the upper-class preferred using French to separate themselves from the poor. This event created a division of language for English speakers. -
Period: 1100 to 1500
Middle English
Middle English came to life after William the Conqueror's invasion of Europe, and came to an end around the time North America was discovered. Middle English words: (mizzen-fore and aft sail set on the mizzenmast) (fro-from) (axe-ask) (ynogh-enough) (poke-bag) (keen-cow) -
1348
English is the New Latin
English makes a lot of progress by replacing Latin as the language of instruction in most schools. -
1362
English Joins Parliament
The English language continues to dominate the world as it replaces French as the language of law. English is also used in Parliament for the first time. -
Period: 1387 to 1400
The Canterbury Tales
Written by Geoffrey Chaucer, the Canterbury Tales are a series of 24 stories that are very important to the Middle English language. -
1436
The Printing Press is Invented
The printing press, invented by Johannes Gutenberg, progressed the English language very quickly because it encouraged people to write and kicked off people's want to invent. -
1492
North America is Discovered by Europeans
North America is slowly built around the concepts of independence and the English language is used to help. By finding this new continent, people unintentionally gave the language it's own place to build and grow. -
Period: 1500 to
Early Modern English
Early Modern English seemed to take it's effect when everyone started writing things down and inventing more. Early Modern English words; The Great Vowel Shift: (fond-foolish) (to suffer-to allow) -
Period: 1564 to
William Shakespeare
Most use William Shakespeare and his works as a basis for the English language. He has impacted the language and our understanding of it more than anyone else, at least that's how history has it down. -
The 1st English Dictionary is Published
Table Alphabeticall, created by Robert Cawdrey, is the first monolingual dictionary in English that was published in London. -
Shakespeare's First Folio is Published
The first edition of the book "William Shakespeare his Histories, Comedies and Tragedies." -
The 1st Daily English-Language Newspaper
The Daily Courant came out in London as the first daily English-language newspaper to be published. -
Period: to
The American Revolution
The American Revolution declared independence to both the country and the language the country was built on. -
The American Declaration of Independence
Similar to the American Revolution, the Declaration of Independence carried the English language into the lives of multiple governments and countries. -
Period: to
Late Modern English
Late Modern English is the more formalized Modern English that seems to be more "set in stone." At this point, most have become very familiar with the language. The inventions and dictionaries that have come out have officially regulated the language. Late Modern English words: (steam powered) (train) (engine) (reservoir) -
Webster Publishes his American English Dictionary
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The Invention of the Telephone
Since Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone, he knowingly progressed communications in unheard of ways. -
The Oxford English Dictionary is Published
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Digital Printing is Invented
