History in Brief: Part III

English

by

Chris Pelletier

copyright 2010

In the twentieth century, English became the international language. With is 500,000 plus words (which seems to grow every year), it is arguably the most difficult language to learn. English has a variety of prepositions (which occasionally native speakers may misuse), an extensive vocabulary, exceptions to almost every grammar rule, spelling that challenges every native speaker, colorful idioms, and neutral nouns (a unique feature to European language). But where did it come from?

In the fifth century, Germanic Anglo, Saxon and Jute mercenaries sailed from northern England to fight for King Vortigern, who had hired them to secure his claim on England as King of all. They were expected to fulfill their duties and leave. They decided to stay and brought their many gods, culture, and language. They overran most all of England, and so the dominant language became Anglisc.

Four-hundred years later, Scandinavian pirates called Vikings invaded England in 793. They also went on to attack mainland Europe, as well. The invaders pushed into England and held onto a territory in northeast England called the Danelaw. From the Vikings came a new vocabulary to add on to the existing one. Many words starting with sk come from Old Norse.

The third most influential period of linguistic change happened in the year 1066. Duke William of Normandy, France, had been promised the throne of England, so he claimed. So at the death of Edward the Confessor, he sailed to England with a fleet filled with infantry and cavalry and a mix of archers and landed on English shores. Several weeks before in northern England, the Saxons had just fought off a large force of Vikings at a place called Stanford bridge. The Saxons heard of the Norman invasion and headed south. They valiantly met the larger force, held their own well, but eventually succumbed to the irresistible force of William. The Saxons lost, and French became the language of nobility in England for nearly 500 years.

With the invasions of England, the language changed, the vocabulary increased and the grammar tried to adjust to the way of the changes. English's main strength is its flexibility, and is always open to new words. Although it is a complex language, the richness of it makes the studying of it in detail truly rewarding.