English and its historyReadingLead-in:1. Since you have learnt English for several years, what do you know about the development or history of the English language?2. What do you think is the most difficult part of studying English------------------ pronunciation, grammar, vocabulary or something else?3. Do you think English has always stayed the same? Give some examples to demonstrate your point.4.How did these changes happen?Some questions:1.What is the article about?2.What are the three kinds of English discussed in the article?3.Is English still changing?English and its history.Old English, Middle English and Modern English.Yes.TimeEventsBefore the middle of the 5th centuryPeople in Britain all spoke a language called Celtic.At the end of the 9th centuryThe Vikings invaded Britain and brought their languages.By the 10th centuryOld English was the official language of England.In 1066The Normans conqueredEngland and took control of the country.Read in detail:By the latter half of the 14th centuryIn 1399During the Renaissance in the 16th centuryEnglish was adopted by all classes in EnglandHenry IV became King of England and used English for all official occasions.Modern English Began.TimeEvents Exercise C1:1.Where did the Angles, the Saxons and the Jutes come from?2. Why can similar pairs of woods be found in the English language?3. What was the German plural form replaced by?4. Which king of England used English for all official occasions?5. When did Modern English appear?They came from the European mainland.Because each word or phrase came from a different language.It was replaced by the French way of making plurals.King Henry IV.During the Renaissance in the 16th century.Exercise C2:Answers:1.5th century2.Celtic4. Angles3. European5.French6.10667. 10th century
