Evolution of the English Language: Key Historical Influences
In today's lecture, Dr. Reynolds will cover the evolution of the English language. She begins by providing a brief overview of its roots in the Germanic tribes that invaded Britain in the 5th century. Following this, she will detail how Old English was influenced by Norse languages through Viking invasions. Next, she discusses the significant impact of the Norman Conquest in 1066, which introduced a multitude of Norman French words into the English vocabulary. Afterward, she highlights the Renaissance period, where Latin and Greek saw a resurgence in influencing English, especially in science and literature. Finally, Dr. Reynolds concludes with a discussion on modern English, including the effects of globalization and the internet on language innovation and change.
Note: This question has been adapted from its original format to accommodate a reading-based version. In the official TOEFL exam, speaking and listening sections require verbal responses and audio prompts, which are not represented here. Please note that this adaptation may not fully reflect the nature or difficulty of the official exam. The audio feature for these sections will be available soon.
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