 What is your favorite English word? Why?  What do you know about the history of the English language?  What are some interesting features of the English language?  Why is it difficult for adults to learn the English language?

By Mr. Chambers & Mr. Chauvin

 The Celts were a civilization that spanned much of Western Europe throughout antiquity.  They still exist today in regions of Ireland, France, and Wales.

 The Celts’ religion was run by Druids, they believed in Animism, human sacrifice, and reincarnation.

 The Romans came in 55 B.C. and, led by Julius Caesar, the highly organized Roman legions annihilated the Celts and conquered most of Briton.

 As the Roman Empire slowly disintegrated they left Briton after 500 years, leaving behind their modernizations of baths, aqueducts, roads, bridges…etc. but not much in the way of language.  The Celts did not get much of a break, only a few decades later (449 AD) the Anglo-Saxons invaded.

 The Anglo-Saxons brought the Anglisc (or Anglish) language with them, where we get our modern word for English.  This is a Germanic language and is the basis for what we speak today, though much of our vocabulary comes from different sources such as French and Norse.  The Anglo-Saxons were German tribes, you might view modern English people as German descendants!

 Brought Christianity to England in 597 AD.  Changed forever the culture and religion of the region.  Christianity brought Latin and Greek roots to the English language.  Many of the Latin words we use come from this transformation, NOT from the Roman occupation.

 Discuss how foreign non-English influences have affected our language and culture.  Include influences we’ve discussed so far (Celtic, Roman, German) as well as ones we will discuss today (Norse, French) and any others you can think of (Chinese, Russian, Egyptian…etc.).

 From A.D. the Vikings invaded and brought the Norse language.  Alfred the Great saved the English language by defeating Viking attacks and establishing English libraries.  Many Norse words still exist in everyday use: husband, anger, hell, skill, berserk, trust, weak…etc.

 William the Conqueror brought the French language with him when he invaded England in 1066 A.D. in what was called the Norman Conquest.  It became the official language, and English became the language of the lower classes.

 The Legacy of the French: Over 10,000 English words are French in origin. That’s more vocabulary from French than Old and Middle English combined!  During French rule, the French words became polite and English words became “vulgar”. Examples: guts vs. intestines, sweat vs. perspire  The French took English wives, which contributed to the downfall of the French language.

 English makes a comeback and sticks around for good this time after English victories over the French during the 100 Years War.  English long bowmen defeated French feudal knights in battles which inspired English nationalism and independence.  The Bubonic Plague (Black Death) ended the feudal system.

 French + Latin = 58%  German/Norse = 26%  Greek = 6%

 Before 55 BC – Celts in Briton, almost no influence  55 BC – 410 AD – Roman rule, very little influence  449 AD – Anglo-Saxons become permanent settlers of the island, give us our Germanic structure and a significant contribution to our vocabulary  597 AD – St. Augustine and Christianity bring Latin and Greek into our vocabulary  800–1050 AD – Viking invasions bring many Norse words into everyday use  1066 AD – William the Conqueror and the Normans bring French to England, which eventually fades but leaves behind much of our vocabulary

 basket (Celtic)  doe (Celtic)  god = good (Old English)  oft = often (Old English)  color (Latin)  focus (Latin)  anger (Norse)  trust (Norse)  deux = deuce (French)  energie = energy (French)

 cross  (Celtic)  fidelity  (Latin)  solitude  (French)  bog  (Celtic)  democracy  (French)  free  (Old English)  technique  (French)

 make  (Old English)  awe  (Norse)  justice  (French)  ugly  (Norse)  anniversary  (Latin)  vanity  (Latin)  acorn  (Old English)  deluxe  (French)  word  (Old English)  vocabulary  (French)

 What are the benefits and drawbacks of our language having so many origins, so much variation, and so much diversity?  Also, what are the benefits and drawbacks of having a language that evolves so rapidly over time?