English Language

[redjay]

Where does the 'English ' lanuage come from? .Our language was`nt spoken by Queen Bodica etc so how did it come about?.

[Mortartube]

Modern English is a mixture of Old English, Old French (from that bloke William the Conqueror), Latin, Germanic and even some Indian languages (from the British Empire). Overall a complex mix of bits and pieces from all over the place. This is a link with a little more detail. http://www.wordorigins.org/histeng.htm

[Quizmonster]

If you are asking about the word 'English' itself, specifically, it is from 'Engle' meaning 'Angles'. The Angles were a northern Germanic tribe who - along with the Jutes and Saxons - emigrated to England after the Romans gave up on us! Hence, we have the racial descriptor, 'Anglo-Saxon', and hence also the word 'English'.

Other than that, Mortar seems to have given a perfectly satisfactory explanation above re the multitude of sources our language came from.

[Azimov]

Interestingly, (I think) the only word to be assimilated into the English language from Swedish (or so I'm told) is "Ombudsman"! Om = About Buds = Tax Man = Man.

[Azimov]

The above answer appeared without Carriage Returns and might be somewhat confusing, so here it is again... edited! Interestingly, (I think) the only word to be assimilated into the English language from Swedish (or so I'm told) is "Ombudsman"! ------- Om = About : Buds = Tax : Man = Man.

[bobbobley]

learn html asimov and you'll be laughing

its the way forward.

[mairtin]

The Germanic Root originates in Friesland, Denmark apparently