By Jason Pickett
In summary: without the vital steps mentioned above the English language would not exist, as it is known it today. English would not be here if it were not for the opposable thumbs of primates, nor would it be here if it were not for the use of tools, or if it were not for the huge brain sizes of humanity’s ancestors. English would not be here were it not for the ice ages and fire. It would not be here if it were not for Proto-Indo-European, nor would it be here were it not for Germanic, or Latin. English would not be the same today if it were not for the Sumerians and their trade, which brought us writing; of if it were not for the Greeks borrowing the Phoenician alphabet, which evolved to be our own alphabet. English would not be the same today also if it were not for the printing press, London’s commercial and cultural importance, or the strength of certain English sovereigns. Without the Renaissance, English would not have the same vocabulary that it does right now. English owes its current existence, whether for the better or worse to these factors.
The question is really: where is English as a language directed? Nobody can answer that with certainty, an Englishmen of 700 AD would never have predicted that English would become the way it did. English is a very unique language in that generally in comparison with other languages is highly adept at change. This is to say that an Englishman of 1300 AD would not be able to understand the English of 700 AD, nor would he be able to understand the English of the year 2000 AD. Any language can be subject to a number of changes: Political, economical, sociological, or psychological. These events can take place at any time, and with little warning, so no one can say for sure what will happen to English or any other language forth hence.
I hope this report has been as enlightening for you the reader, as it has been for me the author. If nothing else you now know from where English is derived and understand where it as an entity is at now. This knowledge can be helpful in many areas of life, and with it, at least one may have a better understanding of the origins the language that helps them daily. I hope also this allows you to be more appreciative in all of the steps used to create this wonderful language. I would like to thank my mentor Mr. Lash for his help in writing this, without him, this would not have been possible. Thank you for your time, I hope that is was well rewarded with a bit of knowledge.