English is one of
the most commonest languages used in this era. But, this language does not have
its history just to a few centuries back but it has taken over a millennium to
develop from scribbling to a proper script. From what was lines and arrows, we
have got the script of the language I am writing in now!
English like most
European and central Asian languages has developed from a language now called
“Proto-Indo-European” (PIE). It then passed through several other root
languages like “Balto-Slavo-Germanic” (BSG) and then “West-Germanic” from which
even Dutch and German have evolved which is why the script is same for the
languages. But this was something that happened around 4000BC.
What is shown in
script 1 is “Before English” (<500AD). No evidences were found in the form
of writings of that time for when English just evolved. The first evidence is
from around 3000BC. “Before English” has also been influenced by Germanic, the
branch English had come from, Celts (hunters from 5000-6000BC) and the Romans.
Romans resulted in the making of script.
What is shown in
script 2 is “Old English” (500-1100AD). After “Before English” era, in around
500AD, Germanic tribes mainly the Angles from South Denmark, Jutes from North
Denmark and Anglo-Saxons from North Germany invaded parts of Britain. Greek and
Latin had continuously been affecting the script. From that era also, only a
few works survived the oldest being Cædmon's Hymn. Beowulf became popular and
is translated into several languages. In 8th century, the Vikings
attacked Britain to give their Norwegian dialect. By 11th century it
was so influenced that it led to a new form of English.
What is shown in
script 3 is “Middle English” (1100-1500AD). The transition between “Old
English” and “Middle English” started when one more language French influenced
it. This happened when William the Conqueror of France attacked Britain in
1066. This made English language topsy-turvy and inherit English, French and
Anglo-Saxon words. English at that time still had no significance and was third
language in their own country. Almost 85% of Anglo-Saxon words had died out
creating new composition of English to be Norman. When Chaucer was born, the
base of English literature formed.
What is shown in
script 4 is “Early Modern English” (1500-1800AD). This script has similarity to
the modern day script, but to listen, the pronunciations were still akin to
“Middle English”. Some sounds passed on, like interchangeability of sounds of u
and v etc. But there was a main vowel shift that took place meaning, the
pronunciations of the vowels had started to change. The taking place of the
English Renaissance further influenced the language of English at the end of
the actual Renaissance. This period was the period when most of the famous
writers lived, including Shakespeare. The arrival of printing press to England
in 1476 was also another reason for the development of English.
What is shown in
script 5 is “Late Modern English” (1800-1980AD). This script is same as modern
day script. “Late Modern English” was very formal. The introduction of Grammar
and dictionaries was mainly in the end of “Early Modern English” and start of
“Late Modern English”. The main transition between the “Early and Late Modern
English” is of the vocabulary, although the pronunciation and grammar remained
the same. Of the writings of industrial and scientific revolutions more than
half were in English. This is what led to English today.
What is shown in script
6 is “English today” (Present). Increase of internet chatting and mobile
chatting today leads to a new form of English with short forms such as 2nt for
tonight, skul for school etc. English in the present day times is more than 90%
informal but what we learn in schools is still Late Modern English.
I would conclude
that a language which was never recognized has now got position 3 in most
commonly spoken languages and the first position in most commonly used
languages on the internet. This is the development of English with
contributions from over 10 languages.
-Suhas
12/7/13
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