Background Information
How did scholars discover the Proto-Indo-European language?
By noticing similarities between commonly used words in different languages
Why did the Romans leave Britain?
They hired mercenaries who later took over.
Was early Anglo-Saxon culture mostly written or spoken?
Spoken
Why is King Aethelbert important?
He allowed Christian missionaries to stay.
When did English change to Modern English?
During the Renaissance
What is Proto-Indo-European?
A language that many modern languages came from.
Who brought the English language to Britain in AD 449?
The Anglo-Saxons
What famous story comes from Anglo-Saxon times?
Beowulf
How did Alfred the Great help the English language?
He built places of learning and supported English.
Why did English gain scientific words like “atmosphere”?
The Renaissance brought scientific discovery.
Which language group does English belong to?
Germanic
Why did the Vikings invade other countries?
They had a seafaring culture and wanted to explore.
Why was storytelling important to the Anglo-Saxons?
Stories were shared orally before widespread writing.
Why is Chaucer important to English?
He chose to write in English.
Why is it hard to count every word in English?
New words are always being created.
Why is Indo-European important to English?
It shows where English originally came from.
What event changed English from Old English to Middle English?
The Norman Conquest
What helped preserve stories like Beowulf later on?
Writing and translation
Who helped give English many famous phrases?
"Vanished into thin air" and "dead as a doornail"
William Shakespeare
How did the Printing Press change English?
It allowed books to be mass-produced.
What evidence helped scholars connect Indo-European languages?
Similar words and language structures.
Who won the Battle of Hastings in 1066?
William the Conqueror
What does oral culture mean?
Stories and history shared by speaking instead of writing.
How did Queen Elizabeth I help the English language?
She supported the arts.
What are Anglo-Saxon symbols called?
Runes