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Merchants and lower-ranked nobles were often bilingual in Anglo-Norman and English, whilst English continued to be the language of the common people. Middle English was influenced by both Anglo-Norman, and later Anglo-French. See characteristics of the Anglo-Norman language. The percentage of modern English words derived from each language group:
For Old English-derived words, see List of English words of Old English origin. English words of African origin; List of English words of Afrikaans origin. List of South African English regionalisms; List of South African slang words; List of English words from indigenous languages of the Americas; List of English words of Arabic origin. List ...
Anglicisation of words and names from indigenous languages occurred across the English-speaking world in former parts of the British Empire. Toponyms in particular have been affected by this process. In the past, the names of people from other language areas were anglicised to a higher extent than today.
The English people are an ethnic group and nation native to England, who speak the English language, a West Germanic language, and share a common ancestry, history, and culture. [8] The English identity began with the Anglo-Saxons, when they were known as the Angelcynn, meaning race or tribe of the Angles.
Anglicisation of non-English-language names was common for immigrants, or even visitors, to English-speaking countries. An example is the German composer Johann Christian Bach, the "London Bach", who was known as "John Bach" after emigrating to England. [3]
A key to English place-names from the Institute for Name Studies, Nottingham; University of Wales Place-name Research Centre; Place-names and the Scots language: the marches of lexical and onomastic research; Domesday Book place-name forms—All the original spellings of English place-names in the Domesday Book (link to PDF file).
As of 2024, there are 57 sovereign states and 28 non-sovereign entities where English is an official language. Many administrative divisions have declared English an official language at the local or regional level. Most states where English is an official language are former territories of the British Empire.
Modern English, sometimes described as the first global lingua franca, [61] [131] is also regarded as the first world language. [132] [133] English is the world's most widely used language in newspaper publishing, book publishing, international telecommunications, scientific publishing, international trade, mass entertainment, and diplomacy. [133]