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Home > English Learning for Curious Minds > #134: A Short History of The English Language
Podcast: English Learning for Curious Minds
Episode:

#134: A Short History of The English Language
Category: Education
Duration: 00:19:58
Publish Date: 2021-02-19 07:34:08
Description:

From a small, wet island, English has come to be the world's dominant language.

How did this actually happen, where does English actually come from, and how has the language changed over the years?

  • How many people speak English
  • Why English isn't a 'pure' language (English as a mongrel dog, and as a soup)
  • Anglo-Saxons & "Old" English
  • Anglo-Saxon words in English today (and why you should use them)
  • “Short words are best, and old words when short are best of all.” 
  • Invasion by the Vikings (and the impact on the English language)
  • Invasion by the Normans (and their linguistic impact)
  • How French words became 'fancier' versions of the original English
  • The French linguistic influence on how we talk about food in English
  • William Shakespeare & the 1,700 words he added to English
  • "Borrowing" words from the colonies
  • How many countries speak English today
  • English's incredible ability to change (and why some people still don't like that)


Full transcript, subtitles and key vocabulary available on the website: https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/history-of-english-language
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