Why English is Part of the Germanic Family: A Simple Explanation
Have you ever wondered why English sounds a bit like German or Dutch? It’s because English is a Germanic language. This might sound complex, but it’s actually a fascinating story about where English comes from and how it’s related to other languages. As someone who teaches German, I love showing people how English and German are like distant cousins. Let’s dive into this story, making it as simple as possible, and see why English is considered a Germanic language.
The Journey Begins: A Closer Look
Picture a world vastly different from our own, around the 5th century — a time when the Roman Empire’s influence was waning and the map of Europe was a patchwork of tribes and emerging kingdoms. It was a period marked by migrations and changes, setting the stage for one of the most significant linguistic transformations in history. This was the era when groups known as the Angles, Saxons, and Jutes decided to embark on a journey that would ultimately reshape the linguistic landscape of the British Isles.
From Homelands to New Shores
These people hailed from regions that are part of modern-day Germany and Denmark. The Angles and Saxons came from the German lowlands, near the North Sea, while the Jutes originated from the…
