TED-ED: Where did English come from? - Claire Bowern

The video explores the evolution of the English language, tracing its roots from modern English back to Old English, Proto-Germanic, and ultimately Proto-Indo-European. It discusses the influence of various invasions and borrowings from languages like French, Latin, and Old Norse. Comparative linguistics helps trace these changes through sound shifts and vocabulary patterns. The video concludes with the vast impact of the Indo-European language family and the mysteries that remain about its origins.

What major event in 1066 significantly influenced the English language by introducing a large amount of French and Latin vocabulary?

• The Norman Invasion

• The Roman Conquest

• The Viking Raids

• The Anglo-Saxon Settlement

Which language family does Old English belong to?

• Celtic

• Romance

• Germanic

• Slavic

What sound change occurred in English that differentiates it from Swedish, as mentioned in the video?

• Sk to Sh

• D to T

• P to Pf

• F to P

What is the common ancestor of English, Swedish, and German known as?

• Anglo-Saxon

• Old Norse

• Proto-Germanic

• Proto-Indo-European

Which ancient language family includes nearly all languages historically spoken in Europe?

• Uralic

• Semitic

• Sino-Tibetan

• Indo-European