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Some features of the grammar and much of the basic vocabulary in everyday use are derived from West Germanic, the common ancestor of English, Dutch, German and Frisian. Most of the rest of the vocabulary comes from Latin, in many cases by way of French.
My students ask this all the time, as they strive to learn English as a second language and wind up confused!
English is a very free evolving language, and continues to take in new vocabulary even to this day.
Traditionally, English is an amalgam of Germanic and Old French influences. The Romans, the Saxons, the Normans, all contributed to the evolution of our language. Some words are Arabic, like caravan or oasis.
In England, partly due to the lay of the land and political affiliations, each area of the country had its own variation of pronunciation and vocabulary. Some areas, like Wales, continue to use language unlike the rest of the country. That's why many English words don't sound like they are spelled (eg. plough) and we have very lax rules. Many words came to us through invaders, traders and even slaves brought from other countries, much the same as religion, tools and innovative ideas.
Now English takes on words from all over the world! Sushi! Fung Sheui!
English shares a common ancestor with German and Dutch. It has significant influence from Old Norse and from French. In addition, many words have been borrowed directly from Latin and Greek and some other languages.
Ramona Halvorson
Wiki User
∙ 8y agoSome features of the grammar and much of the basic vocabulary in everyday use are derived from West Germanic, the common ancestor of English, Dutch, German and Frisian. Most of the rest of the vocabulary comes from Latin, in many cases by way of French.
My students ask this all the time, as they strive to learn English as a second language and wind up confused!
English is a very free evolving language, and continues to take in new vocabulary even to this day.
Traditionally, English is an amalgam of Germanic and Old French influences. The Romans, the Saxons, the Normans, all contributed to the evolution of our language. Some words are Arabic, like caravan or oasis.
In England, partly due to the lay of the land and political affiliations, each area of the country had its own variation of pronunciation and vocabulary. Some areas, like Wales, continue to use language unlike the rest of the country. That's why many English words don't sound like they are spelled (eg. plough) and we have very lax rules. Many words came to us through invaders, traders and even slaves brought from other countries, much the same as religion, tools and innovative ideas.
Now English takes on words from all over the world! Sushi! Fung Sheui!
English shares a common ancestor with German and Dutch. It has significant influence from Old Norse and from French. In addition, many words have been borrowed directly from Latin and Greek and some other languages.
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What language does English come from?
English has roots in the Germanic language family, deriving primarily from Old English and heavily influenced by Latin, French, and other languages due to historical invasions and migrations. It is a West Germanic language that has evolved over centuries to become the global lingua franca.
What has the author Norma Fifer written?
Norma Fifer has written: 'Vocabulary from classical roots' -- subject(s): English language, Foreign elements, Greek, Greek language, Influence on English, Latin, Latin language, Problems, exercises, Roots, Study and teaching, Vocabulary 'Vocabulary from Classical Roots - Book C'
What roots do spanish share with English?
Both are based off of the language Latin.
Modern English traces its roots to the ancestor language family of?
latin, greek, norse,
Which two language group provide the origins of most English words?
Latin and German
Which languages are the most likely to show up in English words as prefixes and roots?
Latin and Greek are the most common sources of prefixes and roots in English words. Many scientific and technical terms have roots that come from Greek or Latin, while common English prefixes like "re-" and "un-" have Latin origins. Additionally, French and Spanish are languages that have also influenced English vocabulary with their prefixes and roots.
How did the latin language influence the English language?
Nearly 50 percent of our words in English have Latin roots. Some students who take Latin in school say that learning Latin helps them understand the meanings of words in English.
What language is the English language primarily traced from?
English has both Germanic and Latin roots. It has both Anglo-Saxon components (which provide the Germanic words) and French components (which provide the Latin words).
Is Hindi the root of the English language?
No, Hindi is not the root of the English language. English developed from a combination of various languages, including Latin, Germanic languages, and French. It has its roots in the Germanic branch of the Indo-European language family.
What are some examples greek roots?
Some examples of Greek roots include "bio-" meaning life, "geo-" meaning earth, "tele-" meaning distant, and "auto-" meaning self.
What does englih share with latin?
English is a Germanic language which was near the same area as Latin. We also derive a lot of English words from Latin roots.
What doesconstant mean in English?
Constant is a word within the English language with its roots in Middle English and Latin. Its most recognized meaning is "occurring continuously over a period of time."
