How old is the English language and where did it originate?

Answer 1

CORRECTION:

English does not come from celtic or only a very minor part. WELSH in germanic languages is the general name for people that can´t be understood... including the celts who populated wales.

The early basis for english is from the Angles and Saxons who invaded the country. Angles come from the region at the border between Denmark and Germany and the name probably comes from those who populated the "Äng-Land", the narrow land (very narrow land connecting Denmark and Germany).

The closest language to old english in Frisian which was at that time spoken around the north sea from Netherlands to Denmark.

From there, the language migrated to great Britain and the other messages will tell you about

Answer 2

The English language evolved over many centuries as different peoples invaded and colonised Britain - Celts, Romans, Saxons, Vikings, Normans, etc.

Modern English began as a hybrid language made up of Anglo-Saxon (also called 'Old English'), Norse, Norman French and elements of other languages e.g. Celtic, Greek, Latin. It appeared around the 14th century and was known as 'Middle English'.

By the 16th/17th century the English language was more like we understand it today, e.g. Shakespeare, King James Bible.

The first English Dictionary was published in 1750 by Dr Johnson. People at the time thought it was a daft idea. Before that there was no standardised spelling or pronounciation.

The Oxford English Dictionary was begun around 1879 and it took them about 10 years to compile the 'A' section. Like any language, English is constantly changing and evolving today.

Depending on how far back you trace its origins therefore English could be said to have begun with the arrival of the Saxons in around 500AD after the end of Roman occupation.

Answer 3

English is a form of Indo-European, a name used for a group of people who gelled as a group some 5,000 years ago. There are 10 subgroups of Indo-European today, including most languages from India (excluding the Dravidian languages), Persian, Latin based languages, Greek, and the Germanic languages, etc. The Germanic languages themselves divided into several groups. Some Germans went to what is now Great Britain. The language evolved from there. Modern English arose primarily as a result of the conquest of England by the Northman William (the Conqueror) from France. French became the language of the court from 1066 to 1362 (?). The collision of English and French caused tremendous changes in the language, the result of which led to modern English.

Answer 4

English is very old, the first form was old English
English is related to French, Latin, Italian, German, Danish, Old Norse, and Spanish.
English originally came from Norse, Anglo-Saxon, Celtic and Italic Languages

Answer 5

the english language is quite old..it comes from celts

Answer 6

It was invented by God, for the use of his chosen people....