NAVAL ARCHITECTURE DEPT
ASSIGNMENT
• SUBJECT: ENGLISH
• DATE: 8-DEC-2020
• ROLL NO: NA-022
• SUBMITTED BY: HAMMAD JAVED
• SUBMITTED TO: SLT SHARJEEL BAQAR
Question:Briefly describe the history of English language evolution?
“Introduction”
A language is the principal method of human communication, consisting of words used in a
structured and conventional way and conveyed by speech, writing, or gesture.English is a
member of the Indo-European family of languages.It is a West Germanic language first
spoken in early medieval England which eventually became the leading language of
international discourse in today's world. It plays a powerful tool in communication all over
the world.
Where it all started :
The history of the English language really started with the arrival of three Germanic tribes
who invaded Britain during the 5th century AD. These tribes, the Angles, the Saxon and the
Jute, crossed the North Sea from what today is Denmark and northern Germany. At that time
the inhabitants of Britain spoke a Celtic language. But most of the Celtic speakers were
pushed west and north by the invaders - mainly into what is now Wales, Scotland and Ireland.
The Angles came from "England" and their language was called "englisc" from which the
words "England" and "English" are derived.It is first spoken in early medieval England which
eventually became the leading language of international discourse in today's world.
The history of the English language has traditionally been divided into three main periods:
• Old English (450-1100 AD).
• Middle English (1100-circa 1500 AD)
• Modern English (since 1500).
(Over the centuries, the English language has been influenced by a number of other
languages).
OLD ENGLISH (450-1100AD):
Before the coming of the Anglo-Saxons, the majority of the population of Britain spoke Celtic
languages.When the Anglo-Saxons first came to England from northern Germany (Saxony) in the fifth
and sixth centuries, they brought their language with them. It is a Germanic language and has some
fundamental similarities to Modern German .Old German language is also called an old English. It
belongs to a group of related languages with a common ancestor known as Proto-Germanic or
Primitive Germanic.The entire surviving body of Old English material from 600 to 1150
consists of only 3,037 texts .T he old english had seven vowels which has the combination of
two symbols called the 'ASH' symbols.old english was phonetic in character.in old english
there were two forms of adjective and there were only two tenses single present tense and
single past tense.Near the end of old english period ,Around 878 AD Danes and Norsemen,
also called Vikings, invaded the country and English got many Norse words into the
language.
Middle English (1100-1500):
In 1066 William the Conqueror, the Duke of Normandy, invaded and conquered England.
The new conquerors, called the Normans, brought with them French,which became the
language of the Royal Court, and the ruling and business classes.During the Middle Ages
three languages were spoken in England: the lower classes spoke their native Anglo-Saxon
language, the upper classes spoke Norman French, whereas Latin was mainly used by the
Church and as the language of learning.The mix of Old English and Anglo-Norman slowly
grew as the people speaking them started to intermarry, and Middle English was the
result. .In the 14th century English became dominant in Britain again, but with many French
words added.when the Statute of Pleading was adopted, which made English the language
of the courts and it began to be used in Parliament.The Middle English period came to a
close around 1500 AD with the rise of Modern English.
"MODERN ENGLISH"
Early Modern English (1500-1800):
The end of Middle English, a sudden and distinct change in pronunciation started, with
vowels being pronounced shorter and shorter. From the 16th century the British had
contact with many peoples from around the world.This, and the Renaissance of Classical
learning, meant that many new words and phrases entered the language. The invention of
printing also meant that there was now a common language in print. Books became cheaper
and more people learned to read.In 1604 the first English dictionary was published.During
this time, spelling and grammar became more fixed, and written text was much more
accessible.
Late Modern English (1800-Present):
The English language underwent more huge changes after 1800. The Early Modern period
came to an end as new influences emerged.Late Modern English has many more words,
arising from two principal factors: firstly, the Industrial Revolution and technology created a
need for new words; secondly, the British Empire at its height covered one quarter of the
earth's surface, and the English language adopted foreign words from many countries.
English of the 21st century:
The most amazing thing about English is that it’s still evolving. English grammar has become
exceedingly refined Vocabulary alone is increasing at a pace of approximately 1,000 new and
approved words per year and this dramatic increase in new words is largely due to
technology, and how people spontaneously coin new words in their email and text
transmissions that spread quickly and efficiently via social media. Future of english is bright
because it is an International Language and most dialect in the world. when you want to be
part of the International World in the future, english may not be essential but it is the greatest
help you required.English is the official language for many countries and it plays a prominent
role in all sector of work and it is highly useful for business field and private sector.
_____________________THANKYOU__________________________
