English language

ember of the Germanic branch of the Indo-European language family. It is traditionally described as having passed through four major stages over about 1,500 years: Old English or Anglo-Saxon (c. 500–1050), rooted in the dialects of invading settlers (Jutes, Saxons, Angles, and Frisians); Middle English (c. 1050–1550), influenced by Norman French after the Conquest of 1066 and by ecclesiastical Latin; Early Modern English (c. 1550–1700), including a standardization of the diverse influences of Middle English; and Late Modern English (c. 1700 onwards), including in particular the development and spread of current Standard English. Through extensive exploration, colonization, and trade, English spread worldwide from the 17th century onwards and remains the most important international language of trade and technology. It is used in many variations, for example, British, American, Canadian, West Indian, Indian, Singaporean, and Nigerian English, and many pidgins and creoles.