With the arrival of the Romans in the first century AD, Latin became the language of administration, trade, and education in Britain. The influence of Latin on the British Isles was significant and lasted for centuries, with Latin words continuing to be used in English even today.
The influence of Celtic languages, however, did not disappear with the arrival of the Romans. In fact, many words in English have Celtic roots, such as "crag," "bog," and "loch," to name a few. These words have been a part of English's evolution since the beginning and continue to shape the language today.
During the Old English period, which began in the fifth and sixth centuries, Germanic tribes migrated to England, bringing their language with them. The influence of these Germanic languages is still visible in English today, with words such as "house," "man," and "wife" having Germanic roots.
The Middle English period, which began after the Norman Conquest in 1066, saw the introduction of French to England. The influence of French on English was profound, with many French words and phrases becoming a part of the English lexicon.
The Renaissance period marked a significant shift in the evolution of English. It was during this time that English writers and poets, such as William Shakespeare, began to shape the language, creating new words and phrases that would endure for centuries to come.
The Great Vowel Shift, which took place between the 14th and 17th centuries, marked a transformation in the pronunciation of English vowels. This shift was a result of changing social and cultural landscapes, and it led to the modern pronunciation of many words.