The History of English

 The History of English

written by 10105 Kim So Yeon

Let me introduce the history of English.

First, Old English.

From 559 to 1066, Old English was used. Old English is one of the West Germanic languages and differs from Modern English in many ways. In terms of grammar, Old English had personal pronouns that were singular, plural, and dual. They were more formal than those in modern English. Regarding vocabulary, the alphabet of Old English was significantly different. It was influenced by Runic in the early days and Latin in the later days.

Since Old English was affected by Latin, it incorporated religious and academic words. Furthermore, Old English lacked derived words from Latin and French. Notably, there is a significant piece of literature written in Old English called "Beowulf," an epic poem of unknown authorship from the 8th to 11th centuries.

Second, Middle English.

Middle English emerged between Old English and Modern English. After the Norman dynasty, Latin and Norman had a significant influence on the language. Due to the arrival of the Normans from France, French became a dominant language, leading to considerable changes in English spelling. During this period, English underwent significant transformations and acquired many French characteristics. The most notable difference from Old English is that Middle English is a blend of Latin and French, unlike its predecessor.

Next, Early Modern English (1500-1700).

Early Modern English experienced development through advancements in printing, dictionary compilation, the Renaissance, Shakespearean works, the English Bible, immigration to the New World, and the Reformation. During this period, English became more standardized in terms of spelling and grammar.

Finally, Modern English (1700-present).

Modern English emerged after the Early Modern English era, which was concluded by Shakespeare. Greek vocabulary had a significant influence during the Renaissance, and this period produced notable writers like William Shakespeare, who concluded the Early Modern English era, and the author of "Othello." From the 18th century onwards, Modern English took shape.

While we use English every day, how much do we know about its history? You might answer, "Not much." However, there are many interesting aspects to discover. Why not explore this topic further?