The origins of english language: Old english and its characteristics-An analytical study Sekhar G. Raja Research Scholar, Department of English, RTM Nagpur University, Nagpur, Maharashtra, India Online published on 11 July, 2017. Abstract Old English belongs to Germanic group of Indo-European family. Old English is also known as Anglo-Saxon. When the Anglo-Saxons came to England from Northern Germany in 5th century, they brought their language to England and that language slowly became English language i.e. Old English. In fact, their language has similarities to Modern German. Due to political and cultural events, Anglo-Saxon language became English language. In Old English period, English alphabet was introduced by Irish missionaries and that alphabet is different from Modern English alphabet in terms of shape and pronunciation. Old English had no silent syllables and it was more or less a phonetic language. As far as grammar is concerned, Old English was an inflected language and the gender system was also irrational and illogical. Vocabulary was also limited and spelling (orthography) was also different. The English language began as a crude linguistic tool of the Anglo-Saxon tribes but today it has developed into a mighty instrument of expression, an effective and cosmopolitan means of communication of the world. It is a noble, rich, expressive, interesting and inspiring language. It can be understood only if we study the origin, development of English of the countless generations that have welded and polished it into what it is today. In this chapter, the focus is on the origin, history and characteristics of English and also this paper throws a light on its journey from Old English to Middle English. Top Keywords Alphabet, Anglo-Saxons, characteristics, Old English, orthography, pronunciation, vocabulary. Top |