English originated from Anglo-Frisian dialects brought to Britain by Germanic invaders in the 5th century AD and has since evolved into a global language. Over 1.5 billion people speak English worldwide, making it one of the most widely spoken languages. There are six core countries where English is the majority native language, collectively known as the Anglosphere. English has changed over time, differentiating into Old English, Middle English, and Modern English forms. It also contains many dialects around the world as well as subvarieties within major dialects.