Old English gave birth to modern English. It was the language spoken in England from roughly the 5th to the 12th centuries. Old English evolved from the language of the Anglo-Saxon invaders who settled in Britain after the Romans left.
Old English was heavily influenced by Old Norse, the language of Viking invaders, as well as by Latin, the language of the Roman Empire. This influence is still evident in many English words and phrases.
While Old English is no longer spoken, it's important to note:
- Modern English is directly descended from Old English. The two languages are closely related and share a common ancestor.
- Modern English has been influenced by many other languages since Old English. These influences include French, Latin, Greek, and many others.
This rich history of borrowing and evolution is one of the things that makes English such a diverse and fascinating language.
