Unit 2 English around the worldThe history of the English language really started with the arrival of three Germanic tribes(部落)who invaded(侵略)Britain during the 5th century
Old EnglishThe invading Germanic tribes spoke similar languages , which in Britain developed into what we now call Old English
Old English didn't sound or look like English today
Native English speakers now would have great difficulty understanding Old English speakers
However , about half of the most commonly used words in Modern English have Old English roots
Middle EnglishIn 1066,the Norman invaded and conquered England
They also brought with them a kind of French , which became the language of the ruling and business classes
For a period , the lower classes spoke English and the upper classes spoke French