English language 700-2012

  • Sep 16, 1066

    Norman invasions

    The normans introduced the Anglo-norman dialect to England. It was a northern dialect of old french and took the place of Old english as the main language spoken in england. French words slowly entered the english language and french names took the place of old english ones.
  • Sep 16, 1362

    The Great Vowel Shift

    The great vowel shift was a major change in the way that words in the english language were pronounced. It occured because english spelling was becoming standardised across the language and the great vowel shift is the reason for many of the perculiar spellings and pronunciations of english words.
  • Sep 16, 1476

    The invention of the printing press

    The printing press was first invented by william caxton, he set up a press at westminster and his first book that he produced there is said to be The Canterbury Tales by Geoffry Chaucer.
  • King James 1 Bible

    This was the third official translation of the bible into english but was the first time it was commissioned by the church of england in the reign of king henry VIII. It was first translated by the Kings printer Robert Barker.
  • Dr Johnson's dictionary

    It was the first dictionary ever produced and it had a huge impact on modern english and has been descrived as one of the greatest single achievements of scholarship.
  • Lowths short introduction to english language

    This work is some of Robert Lowths most recognised work and played a role in the overall way that english language was used and structured.
  • The establishment of america

    The United States of America were eventually formed in the 1970's after many years of people starting to settle in the country.
  • Anglo-Saxon Invasions

    The anglo-saxons brought over the language old english with them, it was the language spoken under alfred the great and continued to be the main language spoken by non-danelaw england up until the norman conquest.
  • Beowulf poem

    The beowulf poem is an old english poem which is said to be heroic and epic. It is set in scandinavia and is commonly said to be one of the most important pieces of anglo-saxon literature.