A short story of the English language
“Understanding the history of the English language is a valuable foundation before learning it.”
Did you know?
No single person created the English language. It did not appear suddenly, and no one sat down to invent it from scratch. English evolved naturally over many centuries through invasions, migrations, cultural changes, and the blending of multiple languages.
While no one “founded” English, King Alfred the Great (849–899) helped standardize Old English through writing, translation, and works like the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle.
Summary: English Has No Founder — Only Evolution
| Phase | Key Influences | Examples of New Words |
|---|---|---|
| Old English | Germanic tribes, Latin, Norse | house, wife, sky |
| Middle English | Norman French | castle, beauty, war |
| Modern English | Global languages, science, technology | internet, sushi, algebra |
Bottom Line
English is a “Frankenstein language”—built from Germanic foundations, reshaped by French influence, and enriched by contributions from cultures across the world. If you had to name a “founder,” the closest would be the Angles (English = language of the Angles).
Register for a free tutor to learn English: Click here