Timeline of Language

By rdoute8
  • 55 BCE

    Julius Caesar comes to Britain

  • 44

    Emperor Claudius Invades Britain

    Emperor Claudius invaded Britain and this began the Roman rule over Britain. Celtic was the spoken language of the time until Roman rule was over in Britain (Van, 2006).
  • 450

    Romans Withdraw From Britain

    Germanic tribes begin to setting in Britain, during this time the Celtic dialect is replaced with Germanic dialect (Van, 2006)
  • Period: 450 to 1150

    Old English

  • 600

    Christianity Introduced

    Christianity was introduced to the Anglo-Saxons by St. Augustine (http://www.ruf.rice.edu/~kemmer/Words/chron.html). The conversion to Christianity, Latin words were introduced such as, abbot, altar, and hymn (Van, 2006).
  • 700

    Beowulf Written

    Sometime in the 700's Beowulf was written. Beowulf was written using a modified Roman alphabet (Van, 2006).
  • Period: 800 to 1000

    Scandinavian Conquests

    During the 8th through 10th centuries, Scandinavians attacked and stole parts of Britain (Van, 2006). Scandinavians could have been the most influential group on the grammar and pronunciation of the English Language (Van, 2006). During this time many words we know originated egg, crave, screech, and thrive (Van, 2006).
  • 1066

    Battle of Hastings

    William of Normandy came to Britain and defeated Harold (Van, 2006). After this battle French became the language of the land (Van, 2006). Many of the words that we use today are from this time government, authority, and judge.
  • Period: 1100 to 1500

    Middle English

  • 1205

    First Book in English

    The first book in English appears (http://www.ruf.rice.edu/~kemmer/Words/chron.html).
  • 1258

    First Royal Proclamation in English

    The first Royal proclamation was issued in English since the French invasion (http://www.ruf.rice.edu/~kemmer/Words/chron.html).
  • 1300

    English Taught

    Noblemen began to feel that they were more English than French. These noblemen began to teach their children in English (http://www.ruf.rice.edu/~kemmer/Words/chron.html).
  • 1337

    Hundred Years War

    The Hundred Years war begins between England and France.
  • 1362

    English Becomes Official Language

    In 1362 English becomes the official language of the courts and more authors are using the new language to write (http://www.ruf.rice.edu/~kemmer/Words/chron.html).
  • 1380

    Canterbury Tales is Written

    Chaucer writes the story Canterbury Tales in middle English (http://www.ruf.rice.edu/~kemmer/Words/chron.html).
  • 1474

    Printing Press

    William Caxton brought the printing press from Germany and the first printed book is published. This year would also bring a process of standardizing spelling (http://www.ruf.rice.edu/~kemmer/Words/chron.html).
  • Period: 1500 to

    Early Modern English

  • The Great Vowel Shift

    The reason for the vowel shift is a large influx of Latin and Greek language (http://www.ruf.rice.edu/~kemmer/Words/chron.html).

  • King James Bible

    The King James bible was published which was a big influence on English speech (http://www.ruf.rice.edu/~kemmer/Words/chron.html).

  • Classical Period

    The classical period of English Literature which created essays, plays, and poetry (http://www.ruf.rice.edu/~kemmer/Words/chron.html)