History of Greek and Latin Influence on the English

LanguageIt’s a pretty big deal

100 B.C. Roman Empire

Educated people in the western Roman Empire spoke Latin

Today, this area is: Spain, Italy, France and Portugal

Spanish, Italian, French, and Portuguese are descended from Latin and they are called “Romance” (Roman) languages.

43 A.D. Roman Emperor Claudius Ceaser conquered Britain

Britain was inhabited by farmersRomans built roads on raised

embankments English called them highways.

Romans built towns for trade markets. They built layered roads (stratum) called straets, now called streets today

Romans measured streets by mille which was 1000 paces, now called miles.

5th Century A.D. Romans left

Inland European conquerors invaded England and brought Anglo-Saxon. In 597 England became a Christian country and the church’s official language was Latin

711 A.D.

Moors from Africa invaded Spain. They had access to Greek books kept in Alexandria. This made Greek literature available to England.

871-899 King Alfred the Great

Alfred had major literary works translated into Latin including grammar terms, plant names, medical terms etc.

Over 450 words were implemented into English.

Terms concerning art, religion, medicine or education are all Latin.

1066 A.D. William the Conquerer

William invaded Britain. The official language of Britain became French, which brought more Latin into English.

1400’s Isaac Newton

Newton was the last English speaking scientist to write a major work in Latin in 1687: Principia Mathematica

English was being used in schools, but Latin was still taught.

The Renaissance 1500-1650

All things Greek and Latin were cherished and there was a commitment to replicating the style of arts and language of these ancient cultures.

The past few centuries

16th/17th centuries:English was taught

in schools.All educated

Europeans learned Latin.

Latin was an internationally understood language.

17th/20th centuries:Roman Catholic

church continues to use Latin.

English continued to incorporate Latin and Greek into everyday language.