The history of the English Language started with the arrival of three Germanic tribes who invaded Britain during the 5th century AD. These tribes were: the Angles, the Saxons and the Jutes. At that time the inhabitants of Britain spoke a Celtic language.
Old English
Old English is the vernacular Germanic language of Great Britain as it is recorded in manuscripts and inscriptions dating from 1100. It is one of the Germanic group of the Indo-European family of languages. There are four dialects: Northumbrian, Mercian, Kentish and West-Saxon. After 900, West-Saxon was increasingly used as a standard written language.
Middle English
Middle English is the name given to the type of English used from about 1100 to 1500. After the Norman conquest, French became the language of the upper classes, while English was used by the lower classes. English did not re-established itself as the language of the educated people until the 13th and 14th centuries.
Modern English
Modern English is the form of the English Language spoken since the Great Vowel Shift in England. Texts from the early 17th century are considered to be Modern English. It has a large number of varieties throughout the world: American English, Australian English, Canadian English, New Zealand English, .... Today English is widely spoken. It has often been referred to as the "world language" of modern era.
