THE HISTORY OF ENGLISH
The history of English language began over 1,500 years ago in the north of
Europe. Around the fifth century A.D, tribes of people known as the Angles,
Saxons, and Jutes traveled west from Germany and Denmark across the North
Sea. They settled in Britain and by the late seventh century, they were speaking
an early form of English.
In the late eighth century, the Vikings attacked England. Fighting continued
almost two hundred years. During this time, many Latin, Danish and Norse words
entered the English language. Latin gave English words like kitchen and cup. From
Danish and Norse, English borrowed skin, leg and the pronouns them, their and
they. Many synonyms from the Norse language became integrated into English,
for example wrath (English), anger (Norse), sick (English), ill (Norse).
In 1066, the Normans conquered England. French became the language of the
wealthy and powerful and English was spoken mostly by poorer people. In the
late fourteenth century, English became the first language again. By this time,
many words used in English came from French or Latin and a lot of early words no
longer existed.
In the 16th and the 17th centuries, people became interested in the classics. At this
time, words from Latin and Greek were included in the English language. A lot of
words or parts of words from those languages are used in modern English.
Today English has loan words from many of the world’s languages. You can
probably find a word used in English that first came from your native language.
Complete the sentences below using the words form the passage.
1. The English language is over ______ years old.
2. When French was the important language in England, English was spoken
mostly by ______ people.
3. Over the years, English has included the words from Danish, Norse, ______ and
_______languages.
4. English uses many ______ from other languages.
Which word does not belong to the group?
1. Settled
2. Assaulted
3. Stopped
4. Integrated
5. Involved
lived
attacked
carried on
divided
included
left
visited
continued
separated
left out
Complete the sentences using the words above.
1. I told Marcus to stop but he didn’t. He ______ hitting me.
2. When students are new at this school, we try to _______ them with the other
students as soon as possible.
3. We lived in many different cities before we decided to _________ in New York.
4. The lion _______ the deer and pulled it to the ground.
5. When I made the guest list for the party, I forgot to _______ my friend Jane.
The words inside the box are not original English words. Try to know them and
answer the exercise.
Mardi Gras
mosquito
ketchup
kindergarten
kiosk
bonsai
kayak
sauna
1. It was difficult to sleep last night because there was a _________ buzzing
around.
2. ___________ is a great time to be in New Orleans. There are parties in the
street and everyone has a great time.
3. Seline is five years old tomorrow so she is going to start ________ next week.
4. After a day of skiing, we went for a _________. It was wonderful and relaxing.
5. Martin and Sandra rented a __________ and spent the day on the river.
6. Look what Naomi bought me for my birthday, a ________ tree. It’s cute and
tiny.
7. If you want a newspaper, you can buy one form that little ________ over there.
8. Would you like some __________ on your French fries?