What language was spoke in Britain prior to the Anglo Saxon invasion?

Answer 1

I believe they spoke Anglo-Saxon, also known as Old English. It was a Germanic language which evolved into Middle English and then to the modern form of English we know today. If you would like to read an example of it then check out The Wanderer, which was an epic Anglo-Saxon poem:

Oft him anhagaOften the solitary oneare gebideð,finds grace for himselfmetudes miltse,the mercy of the Lord,þeah þe he modcearigAlthough he, sorry-hearted,geond lagulademust for a long timelonge sceoldemove by hand [in context = row]

hreran mid hondumalong the waterways,hrimcealde sæ(along) the ice-cold sea,wadan wræclastas.tread the paths of exile.Wyrd bið ful aræd!

Answer 2

Unfortunately, recorded history didn't begin until the Roman invasion, in AD 43. No literature of pre-Roman Britain has survived, and no written language has ever been found, despite DNA-analysis of a human presence that can be traced as far back as 25,000 years ago, before the last Ice Age. So apart from the archaeological data, and assumptions drawn from what was going on in Europe, there's really not much to go on.

Certainly, the settlements on Skara Brae and particularly the Knap of Howar testify to a culture that existed from 3700 BCE, pre-dating the Great Pyramid of Egypt and even Stonehenge. But as to what language they spoke, nobody can say for sure.

Some believe the Celtic languages arrived in Britain around the 12th century BCE, however it is generally accepted the Celtic languages originate from the Hallstatt culture, which would place it closer to the 6th century BCE. Pictish, spoken mainly in the north, also existed during that period, but its origin is unknown and was considered extinct by 900 CE. While there were undoubtedly languages preceding this period, there doesn't appear to be any evidence of what they were.

So I'm afraid the answer to the question is "we just don't know".

Answer 3

Many historians have conlcuded that Britain probably had many dialects of Celtic languages similar to modern Welsh or Cornish.

Answer 4

Spoken by original

Anglo-Saxon immigrants to Britain

Answer 5

English or british English

Answer 6

Old English