The origins of the English language can be traced back to different groups that inhabited Britain over time. Celts originally populated Britain and spoke Celtic languages, while Germanic peoples brought Germanic dialects when they arrived in the 5th century. As various kingdoms arose in the 8th century, the dialects influenced each other and Latin also contributed new words. By the 10th century, the West Saxon dialect became the standard language and English began to be written, influenced by the Latin alphabet introduced by Christianity. Celtic languages survived in Wales, Ireland, and Scotland as Celtic speakers migrated to the edges of Britain.

1. The origins of
the English
language

2. The linguistic
geography of
Europe
By the beginning of the
Christian era, the southern
part of Europe was a
Celtic-speaking place
whereas the north was a
Germanic speaking place.

3. Language in Britain
Celts, from Central Europe,
populated the British Isles.
Nowadays, it presents the only
place in Europe where Celtic
heritage (Living language
and living descendants
can be found).
48 BC • Roman ocupation started
• Latin hardly influences the dialects spoken in Great Britain
• Germanic peoples (Anglo Saxons) arrived to Great
5th century Britain carrying Germanic dialects
8th century • Arise of great 4 kingdoms

4. .
Mutual caused
Military
Trade caused
Contacts
Influence
Language
Contact
New words came into dialects. The Germanic peoples adopted
wine, beer and cheese from Latin (the Roman Empire)

5. Latin made little contributions to the language
in the Dark Ages yet in the Middle and start of
Modern English Periods it played an essential
part being the language of scholarship.

6. Early English As there was no such thing as a
“Standard English” then, the more
dialects prominent a kingdom got, the more
prestigious its dialect was
Northumbrian
EARLY
Mercian ENGLISH Kentish
DIALECTS
West
Saxon

7. Early
English West Saxon Northumbrian
dialects
Kentish Mercian
Standard
language
The dialects of the old kingdoms formed the standard language

8. The beginnings
of written English
First records of written English tried to
represent English sounds with Latin letters
Christianity introduced. Anglo
Saxon dialects influenced by Latin
Germanic tribes used runes.

9. • Origins of written English can be tracked
down to the 8th century.
represented
Written English Power of the Church
Firstly, Northumbria
No surviving
First English texts records
produced in
Second, Mercia
Earliest remaining
Church gave Literacy
records of written
infraestructure
English
Result of
Simultaneous translation

10. The survival of Celtic
In the picture we can see the places where the Anglo Saxons
settled in Eastern England.
Due to their establishment,
Celtic peoples had to emigrate
to the ends (Ireland, Wales,
Scotland), places where Celtic
Roots still exist.

11. The survival of Celtic
As political borders moved,
the language spread English
Firstly Nowadays
Northumbria Mercia Wessex Wales
Threatened by English
economic power

12. The survival of Celtic
Declared part of
England in 1536
Despite its
declination due to Welsh and
economic Wales English declared
equals in 1536
factors, Celtic
keeps being and 1543
spoken
Translation of
the Bible and
Prayer Book