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Where did the English language originate?
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English language
Map showing the use of English as a first language, as an important second language, and as an official language in countries around the world.
The English language originated from the Germanic dialects spoken by the Angles, Saxons, and Jutes, who migrated from northern Germany and the surrounding regions to Britain in the 5th century CE.123
Upon settling in the British Isles, these Germanic dialects evolved into what is known as Old English. Over the following centuries, the language was significantly shaped by several major historical events:3
- Viking Invasions: Beginning in the 8th century, Viking and Danish raids and subsequent colonization introduced North Germanic influences to the language.24
- Norman Conquest: The 1066 Norman Conquest brought Norman French to England. A hybrid speech combining Anglo-Saxon and French elements eventually evolved into Middle English, which later developed into modern English.24
While its roots are Germanic, English has been continuously influenced by a wide variety of other languages, including Latin, French, and Dutch, reflecting its history as a constantly changing language.1