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The English Language as we know it did not exist during the eleventh century. Prior to the Norman Conquest of 1066 AD, the "English" spoke differing Anglo-Saxon languages, many of which were mutually intelligible, but not truly one language. A modern English speaker would have trouble understanding more than a word or two, if he or she read carefully. When William the Conqueror conquered England, the official language of the court was Norman French. The people continued to speak their own languages, but under the influence of the Normans, many French words and grammatical rules began to enter into English use. In time, a more or less cohesive language began to form among the commoners, starting around the beginning of the 12th century. Nowadays, we call this language "Middle English." A modern English speaker might be able to understand parts of Middle English, but it is still very difficult to comprehend without first studying it for a while.
Here is an example of West Saxon, one of the versions of "Old English." This is the first stanza of Beowulf, pulled from Medieval Source Book at fordham.edu. It is estimated that this version comes from 1000 AD, but may have been written as early as 800 AD.
HWÆT, WE GAR-DEna in geardagum,
þeodcyninga þrym gefrunon,
hu ða æþelingas Ellen fremedon!
oft Scyld Scefing sceaþena þreatum,
monegum mægþum meodosetla ofteah,
egsode eorlas, syððanærest wearð
feasceaft funden; he þæs frofre gebad,
weox under wolcnum weorðmyndum þah,
oð þæt him æghwylc ymbsittendra
ofer hronrade hyran scolde,
gomban gyldan; þæt wæs god cyning!
Ðæm eafera wæs æfter cenned
geong in geardum, þone God sende
folce to frofre; fyrenðearfe ongeat,
þe hie ær drugon aldorlease
lange hwile; him þæs Liffrea,
wuldres Wealdend woroldare forgeaf,
Beowulf wæs breme --- blæd wide sprang---
Scyldes eafera Scedelandum in.
Swa sceal geong guma gode gewyrcean,
fromum feohgiftumon fæder bearme,
THIS MAY SEEM LIKE A NICE AND WORDY ANSWER TO BELIEVE, BUT ENGLISH MOST DEFINITELY WAS SPOKEN IN THE ELEVENTH CENTURY. FOR EXAMPLE ENGLISH WAS SPOKEN IN PARTS OF Europe, SUCH AS GREAT BRITAIN AND A FEW OTHER COUNTRIES. THE VARIANT WAS DIFFERENT OF COURSE, WITH SO MUCH KING JAMES LIKE WORDING, THAT IT IS VERY DIFFERENT IN FACT TODAY. - ANONYMOUS
What else can I help you with?
How was the Germanic language brought into the English language?
The influence of Old English and the migration of Germanic tribes like the Angles, Saxons, and Jutes to England around the 5th century brought Germanic language roots into English. This influence can be seen in vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation patterns that persist in modern English.
When did english become americas primary language?
English became America's primary language during the colonial period, when British settlers began establishing colonies in North America in the early 17th century. Over time, English became the dominant language through cultural assimilation and the influence of institutions like schools and the government.
Is the English language older than the Spanish language?
That depends, if you mean the English and spanish languages as we know today the spanish is older. But i think the old English language appears before the old castilian (spanish). yeah, and like, in English you say: ''apartament'' and in spanish is: ''apartamento'' music- musica terrible- same in spanish (terrible) pant- pantalón sternocleidomastoid- esternocleidomastoideo almost like a 37.6% of English word are DESCENT from spanish or latin (English language took a LOT of words from spanish language)
Was English or Spanish invented first?
Spanish is most likely to have been invented first in the old times. Then people moved northward and made their own language (a.k.a English) which was based of Spanish. Note: You can find Spanish words that sound like English. Those are called cognates, in Spanish.
Is English a Romance language?
No, English is not a Romance language. It belongs to the Germanic language family, which is different from the Romance languages like Spanish, French, and Italian.
What was turkey like before?
The name in the 11th century was Anatolia.
How was the Germanic language brought into the English language?
The influence of Old English and the migration of Germanic tribes like the Angles, Saxons, and Jutes to England around the 5th century brought Germanic language roots into English. This influence can be seen in vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation patterns that persist in modern English.
What does the word twi mean in English?
its a language just like English is a language
How long ago was the 11th century?
Oh honey, the 11th century was a hot minute ago. We're talking about a thousand years in the rearview mirror. So, if you're trying to plan a throwback party, you better dust off your medieval garb and get ready to party like it's 1099.
When did english become americas primary language?
English became America's primary language during the colonial period, when British settlers began establishing colonies in North America in the early 17th century. Over time, English became the dominant language through cultural assimilation and the influence of institutions like schools and the government.
Do you consider English as secondary language?
Depends where you come from. Like in the U.S.,primary language is English , but in Canada , primary language is English , and secondary language is French .
Is the English language older than the Spanish language?
That depends, if you mean the English and spanish languages as we know today the spanish is older. But i think the old English language appears before the old castilian (spanish). yeah, and like, in English you say: ''apartament'' and in spanish is: ''apartamento'' music- musica terrible- same in spanish (terrible) pant- pantalón sternocleidomastoid- esternocleidomastoideo almost like a 37.6% of English word are DESCENT from spanish or latin (English language took a LOT of words from spanish language)
What is an example of language?
Like English
Was English or Spanish invented first?
Spanish is most likely to have been invented first in the old times. Then people moved northward and made their own language (a.k.a English) which was based of Spanish. Note: You can find Spanish words that sound like English. Those are called cognates, in Spanish.
Did Geoffrey Chaucer write the canterbury tales in old english middle english or modern english?
Geoffrey Chaucer wrote "The Canterbury Tales" in Middle English, which was the common spoken and written language in England during the late 14th century. Middle English is distinct from older forms of the language like Old English and from the modern form of English that we use today.
Did people used to speek in old English?
In olden times, people spoke in old English. yes they did they said things like spiffing and stuff it was quite spiffing acctualy yes! they did! a long time ago!! =-D They did speek old English but that was a long time ago laugh out loud !
Why you like English language?
it's clear
