The decisive moment in the decline of Old English came with the Norman Conquest of 1066, when William the Conqueror, Duke of Normandy, invaded England and defeated King Harold II at the Battle of Hastings. The Normans brought with them Old Norman French, which soon became the language of the ruling elite, law, administration, and the Church.

While Old English continued to be spoken by the common people, it was increasingly influenced by Norman French vocabulary, spelling, and pronunciation. By the 12th century, Old English had evolved into Middle English, a transitional phase marked by major changes in grammar, vocabulary, and syntax.

Characteristics of Old English

Phonology

• Vowels could be long or short.
   

• Pronunciation was closer to continental European languages than modern English.
   

• There were sounds no longer present in modern English, such as the voiced and unvoiced "th" (þ, ð).
   

Vocabulary

• Old English vocabulary was largely Germanic.
   

• Latin and Norse borrowings expanded the lexicon.
   

• Word compounding was common (e.g., beorg-stān = mountain stone).
   

Grammar

• Inflectional system similar to Latin or modern German.
   

• Definite articles and adjectives changed based on case, gender, and number.
   

• Verbs conjugated according to tense, mood, number, and person.
   

Examples of Old English

Here is a passage from Beowulf, one of the most important works in Old English:

Hwæt! Wē Gār-Dena in geārdagum,
þēodcyninga, þrym gefrūnon,
hū ðā æþelingas ellen fremedon.

Translation:

Lo! We have heard of the glory in days of old
of the Spear-Danes, the kings of the people,
how the princes performed courageous deeds.

Legacy of Old English

Old English is no longer intelligible to modern English speakers without study, but it forms the foundation of the English language. Its influence is seen in:

• The core vocabulary of modern English (e.g., mother, house, food, drink).
   

• The structure of syntactic patterns and word order.
   

• Literary and cultural heritage, such as Anglo-Saxon poetry, myth, and values.
   

Scholars, linguists, and enthusiasts continue to study Old English to understand the roots of English and the early medieval world of England.

Conclusion

Old English is more than just an ancestor of modern English; it is a window into the early medieval mind, culture, and society. Though shaped by invasions, religion, and political change, the language endured, adapted, and evolved. From epic poetry to humble charters, it bears witness to the birth of English identity, long before Chaucer or Shakespeare would bring the language to new heights. shutdown123