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Description
The origin of the English language dates back over 1,400 years. It all started with a mix of Germanic tribes—Angles, Saxons, and Jutes—who came to England around the 5th century. That mash-up of dialects gave birth to what we now call Old English.
History
Around 450 A.D., three Germanic tribes—the Angles, Saxons, and Jutes—decided to cross the North Sea. They came from what is now modern-day Denmark and northern Germany. When they landed in Britain, the locals weren’t speaking English. They spoke Celtic languages. But the invaders weren’t here to learn Welsh or Gaelic. They pushed the native Celtic speakers west and north, into what we now call Wales, Scotland, and Ireland. And just like that, the Old English language started forming.
This wasn’t your grammar school English. Old English looked and sounded more like a cousin of modern German. It was earthy, raw, and full of letters we don’t even use today. Ever seen a "þ" or "ð"? Those were common back then! Words like “cyning” (king) and “bēon” (to be) came from Old English roots. You’d definitely need subtitles if someone from that time showed up today.
Enter William the Conqueror, Duke of Normandy, who invaded England in 1066 A.D. That moment changed English forever. Suddenly, French became the language of the rich and powerful. The poor? Still speaking English. This strange divide lasted for hundreds of years. Over time, English started borrowing from French—think “court,” “beef,” and “justice.”
Fast-forward to the 16th century. English suddenly decided to change how it sounded—big time. This was called the Great Vowel Shift, and no, it wasn’t a boy band. Vowels that used to sound long and drawn-out were now quicker, snappier. For example, “bite” used to sound like “beet,” and “meet” was more like “mate.” Nobody held a meeting to decide this, by the way. It just... happened. Wild, right?
Fast-forward to the 16th century. English suddenly decided to change how it sounded—big time. This was called the Great Vowel Shift, and no, it wasn’t a boy band. Vowels that used to sound long and drawn-out were now quicker, snappier. For example, “bite” used to sound like “beet,” and “meet” was more like “mate.” Nobody held a meeting to decide this, by the way. It just... happened. Wild, right?
How To Celebrate
Wanna join the celebration? Here are some fun ways you can celebrate International English Language Day:
1. Read Something Classic
Pick up a Shakespeare play or a Jane Austen novel. Or hey, even a Harry Potter book counts!
2. Learn a New Word
Try out a fancy word like “defenestrate” (which means to throw someone out of a window… not recommended).
3. Watch English Movies or Shows
From The Crown to Stranger Things, binge your favorite English-language content guilt-free. You’re “learning.”
4. Practice Your Pronunciation
Try reading tongue twisters out loud. “She sells seashells by the seashore.” Good luck!
5. Host a Word Game Night
Play Scrabble, Boggle, or even Charades—all fun ways to honor the language!
Amazing Facts
1. Over 1.5 billion people speak English worldwide.
That’s about 20% of the global population—making it one of the most spoken languages on the planet.
2. English is an official language in 58 countries.
From Canada to Kenya, English is the go-to language for government, education, and global communication.
3. English didn’t even start in England!
It came from Germanic tribes who invaded Britain in the 5th century A.D. Wild, right?
4. The first English dictionary was published in 1604.
It was called A Table Alphabeticall. No, it didn’t include the word “selfie.”
5. English borrows words from over 350 languages.
Examples? “Piano” from Italian, “tsunami” from Japanese, and “algebra” from Arabic.
Why We Love
Let’s be honest—English can be a bit weird. It borrows words from every language, breaks its own grammar rules, and makes “knight” sound like “nite.” But guess what? That’s exactly why we love it—and why we love celebrating English Language Day every April 23!
1. It Connects the World
Whether you're in Tokyo, Toronto, or Timbuktu, chances are you can find someone who speaks English. It’s the ultimate global bridge—helping us communicate across borders, cultures, and time zones.
2. It’s the Language of Stories
From Shakespeare's plays to J.K. Rowling’s wizarding world, English has given us some of the greatest stories ever told. And who doesn’t love a good story?
3. It’s Quirky, Fun, and Full of Surprises
Why is “comb” not pronounced “com-buh”? Why does “read” rhyme with “reed” and “red”? English keeps you on your toes—and we kind of love that.
4. It’s a Constant Learning Adventure
Even native speakers discover new words all the time. From “ghosting” to “glamping”, English evolves with us—and keeps things interesting.
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