Norman French influenced it heavily from 1066 onward, and eventually turned it into Middle English.
The language of Old English was influenced by various languages, including Latin (through the Roman occupation of Britain), Celtic languages (spoken by the pre-Roman inhabitants of Britain), and Old Norse (introduced by the Viking invasions). These influences shaped the vocabulary, grammar, and phonology of Old English.
The French language has influenced English through the Norman Conquest in 1066, resulting in the introduction of French vocabulary and grammatical structures into English. Many English words are derived from French, especially in areas like food, fashion, art, and government. This influence has enriched the English language and made it more diverse.
The Zulu language is influenced by Xhosa and English.
French. After the Norman conquest French had such a impact on the English language that Middle English looks nothing like Old English, because we adopted and adapted so many of their words!
French. After the Norman conquest French had such a impact on the English language that Middle English looks nothing like Old English, because we adopted and adapted so many of their words!
Old English is the earliest form of the English language, used from the 5th to the 11th century. It is characterized by a more complex grammar and vocabulary with heavy influence from Germanic languages. Modern English, on the other hand, began to emerge around the 16th century and has evolved with simplified grammar and vocabulary influenced by various languages, such as Latin and French.
Chaucer's language, Middle English, was a transition between Old English and Modern English. It featured changes in grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation that made it more familiar to speakers of Modern English. Chaucer's writing helped standardize English and influenced the development of the language.
Old Norse influence on Old English occurred predominantly during the Viking Age, when Norse settlers and invaders brought their language to England. This influenced the vocabulary of Old English, with many Norse words being incorporated into the language. The influence is also seen in the phonological and grammatical structure of Old English, with some scholars suggesting that Old Norse may have influenced the syntax and word order of Old English.
In Chaucer's time, Middle English was the language spoken in England. It was a transitioning period between Old English and Modern English, and during this time, English was heavily influenced by French due to the Norman Conquest.
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.
English is not directly descended from French, but it is heavily influenced by it. French is a romance language, meaning is is a direct descendent of Latin, the language of ancient Rome. English, on the other hand is a Germanic language, related to German, Dutch, and the Scandinavian languages. In 1066, a Norman French army invaded and conquered England. Over the next few centuries, the Old English spoken by the lower class was heavily influenced by the French-speaking rulers. As much as 60% of modern English vocabulary is traced to this French influence. However, the structure of English remained Germanic.
The Early English word was 'haer'. This was similar to old German and Dutch as 'haar' and old Norse as 'har'. Some time later the English word changed to 'haire'. The modern spelling is influenced by the 'haire' spelling