Old English
Old English refers to the earliest form of the English language spoken and written in England and southern Scotland from approximately the 5th century to the 12th century. It is a Germanic language that developed after the migration of Anglo-Saxon tribes to Britain. Old English is characterized by a highly inflected grammar system and vocabulary influenced by Old Norse and Latin. Major texts in Old English include the epic poem “Beowulf” and historical records like the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. The term Old English began to be used in its modern sense during the late 19th century.
The etymology of Old English combines “old,” derived from the Old English word “eald,” meaning “ancient,” with “English,” from “Englisc,” referring to the language of the Angles. The concept of Old English emerged as scholars in the Renaissance period began to classify earlier stages of the English language for historical and linguistic analysis. Its evolution reflects the blending of Germanic, Celtic, and Latin influences, serving as the foundation for the Modern English we use today.