History of english language

Abstract or Introduction

This essay seeks to point out in how far the external factor of language contact with Old Norse (ON) and Norman French has affected and contributed to the English language throughout its development. It will thus be explained when and why these languages came in contact with the earliest known form of English, namely Old English (OE) to serve as a basis for demonstrating to what extent lexicon, phonology, orthography, syntax and place-names of English have been influenced by which of the two languages.

The English language as we know it today exists in the way it does due to various contacts with other languages of which most are still evident in specific elements of the modern language. Essentially, there are two kinds of forces driving language change. Two major external forces that have shaped the English language are the Viking Invasion in 787 during the late Old English Period and the Norman Conquest in 1066, inducing the Middle English Period.