Old English Old English (Englisc, Ænglisc), also called Anglo-Saxon, is an early form of the English language that was spoken and written in parts of what are now England and south-eastern Scotland between at least the mid-5th century and the mid- 12th century.English languageEngland Scotland The following passage is from the time of about 800 A.D.: Faeder ure thu the eart on heofonum, si thin nama gehalgod. Tobecume thin rice. Gewurthe thin willa on earthan swa swa on heofonum.

Middle English Middle English is the name given by historical linguists to the diverse forms of the English language in use between the late 11th century and about 1470, when the Chancery Standard, a form of London-based English, began to become widespread, a process aided by the introduction of the printing press into England by William Caxton in the late 1470s.historical linguistsEnglish languageChancery StandardLondonprinting pressEnglandWilliam Caxton The same phrase is written as it would have appeared at the time of (1320 – 1384). Oure fadir that art in heuenes, halwid be thi name; thi kyngdom cumme to; be thi wille don as in heuen and in erthe; gif to us this day ouer breed oure substaunce; and forgeue uo us oure dettis as we forgeue to oure dettours….

Modern English Here is the same passage as it appeared in 1611 or about the time of Shakespeare. Modern English begins to appear at this time. Our Father, which art in Heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation…

Present Language Our present language is roughly half Germanic and half Romance (Latin and French). There are over 7,000 different languages spoken in the world today and nearly half of them are in danger of extinction. Here are some phrases from endangered languages: Kwetamalsi means “now you know how it feels!” in Lenape (Oklahoma) Di’nisbaa means “I’m in the process of driving a vehicle into something and getting stuck” in Navajo (Oklahoma) Aimerpok means “to visit and expect food” in Aleut (Australia)

Outdated Terms Stool pigeon Grodey! Sound off Groovy Gag me with a spoon Pass the buck Rad Give me air